This text is part of the special issue on Trade Unionism
Paid leave for victims of domestic violence, increase in contribution from the employer to group insurance… The Syndicat des professionnels du gouvernement du Québec (SPGQ) sees its recent gains as proof of the relevance of union organizations, even today. The organization now wants to improve the rights of its 26,000 members facing the challenges of the future, such as the rise of artificial intelligence and climate change.
For SPGQ President Guillaume Bouvrette, union struggles often benefit the entire population. He cites the Common Front strike last fall as an example. While his organization was not part of the large union rally that led a strike that lasted several weeks, it still benefited from the pressure tactics implemented by its colleagues. “We obtained the same financial framework, with a 17.4% increase over five years,” emphasizes the man who represents 26,000 members, particularly in the public service and state-owned corporations.
Another highlight of the agreement in principle accepted by 95% of SPGQ members last June: the increase in the employer contribution to group insurance. “This was a major issue for us and for most public sector employees in the face of soaring drug prices,” the union representative points out. “Contrary to popular belief, the Quebec government employee insurance plan is far from advantageous. The employer contributes very little. So it is the employees who pay their group insurance themselves almost entirely,” he points out. Thus, while Quebec’s contribution previously amounted to only 4% or 5% of the total cost of the plan, this rate has been increased to 20%. “This is a significant increase, but we are still far from what is the industry standard, which is 50-50,” he adds.
Better support for victims of domestic violence
For several years, the SPGQ has been campaigning to grant paid leave to victims of domestic violence. According to the union organization, these days would allow them to benefit from the time and financial resources necessary for the transition after leaving their violent partner. “Often, these are people, mostly women, who have already used up their vacation days, sick leave or other days to take care of children or to hide events that they want to keep private. And sometimes, the workplace becomes a last refuge, a last bastion, a last lookout,” says Mr. Bouvrette. He cites as an example the case of Services documentaires multimédias (SDM), which granted 10 days of paid leave to victims of domestic violence in its new collective agreement.
The SPGQ also participated in parliamentary committee proceedings in the spring as part of Bill 42, which aims in particular to prevent and combat psychological harassment and sexual violence in the workplace. “We went further in our recommendations so that there would be legislative changes and not just gains in collective agreements,” says Mr. Bouvrette. “That’s where the role and relevance of union organizations take on their full meaning for us. This is the kind of fight that we can lead today and that is for the benefit of the entire population.”
Challenges for the future
With the development of digital tools based on artificial intelligence (AI), the SPGQ wishes to be part of the discussions in order to supervise new technologies. And this, in particular in terms of the security of personal data and the requalification of employees whose positions will be affected by the rise of AI in the coming years.
The democratization of telework since the pandemic is also one of the topics on which the union intends to take a position. “We’ve been saying for a long time that it works. It’s not only a work-life balance measure, there are also environmental benefits,” says Guillaume Bouvrette, illustrating the drop in the number of trips to get to the office. People need to be able to focus on tasks that add value. And spending time in traffic is not one of them.” Far from advocating for mandatory telework in its entirety, the SPGQ wants the government to show flexibility. “We need to allow people who need to go to the workplace to do so,” he says.
Ultimately, Mr. Bouvrette hopes that the struggles led by the SPGQ will benefit the entire population. “There is this desire in the union movement to improve things in civil society in general, and not just for the members we represent.”
This content was produced by the Special Publications Team of Dutyrelevant to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part in it.