The president of the Conseil du trésor, Sonia LeBel, tabled her offers to staff in the public and parapublic sectors on Thursday, offers that were immediately rejected by the unions.
Mme LeBel was accompanied for the occasion by the Ministers of Health and Education, Christian Dubé and Bernard Drainville.
Collective agreements in the public and parapublic sectors expire on March 31. They concern more than half a million state employees.
The public sector inter-union common front is demanding wage increases higher than inflation, ie 2%, 3% and 4% over three years, in addition to the equivalent of the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Quebec instead offers 3% the first year, and 1.5% for the next four, for a total of 9% over five years.
To this is added 2.5%, over five years, “so that the government can meet its priorities”, according to the press release distributed by Quebec to journalists.
“In recurrence, the government offers 11.5% over five years,” we explain.
“This offer is at the level of expected inflation. In addition, the government is offering a lump sum of $1,000, the first year, to recognize the contribution of employees to their network,” we added.
If we include the lump sum, we arrive at 13% over five years, according to Mme LeBel.
Not enough, say unions
This is still not enough, replies the inter-union common front, made up of the Confederation of National Trade Unions (CSN), the Central Trade Unions of Quebec (CSQ), the Federation of Workers and Workers of Quebec (FTQ) and the Alliance of Professional and Technical Personnel in Health and Social Services (APTS).
“The government’s wage offer is not only lower than what will be offered in the private sector, but will cause an impoverishment of workers, because the government’s inflation forecast is far higher than what is on the table. “, say the unions in a press release.
The last negotiation, which took place at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, made it possible to achieve notable gains, including recognition of beneficiary attendants and a salary catch-up for teachers. Wage increases had also been greater for the lowest earners.