Tired of the lack of progress at the negotiating tables, Common Front representatives in the areas of health and social services have not ruled out the possibility of an indefinite general strike after the holidays.
• Read also: The FIQ submitted its counter-offer
• Read also: Flexibility, what does that mean for the Common Front?
This was recognized on Sunday morning by Maxime Ste-Marie, president of the Provincial Social Affairs Council of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CPAS-SCFP-FTQ).
“If we have to go on an unlimited general strike after the holidays, we will do it,” he declared during a press briefing held in front of the CHUM research center in Montreal.
The unions are due to meet on December 19 and hope to have an agreement in principle with Quebec on that date.
“What I recommend to the Prime Minister is to give mandates to the negotiating teams and to stop media interference then let the process go so that we can resolve [les négociations] before the end of the year,” insisted Réjean Leclerc, president of the Federation of Health and Social Services (FSSS-CSN).
“[M. Legault] says all kinds of things that are not reflected at the table,” he argued.
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Hurry up
In the rain, representatives of the Common Front urged Quebec to act and responded that the Legault government must also show flexibility.
“The proposals at the sectoral tables, at the moment, they are not sufficient, Mr. Legault,” questioned Sylvie Nelson, president of the Quebec Union of Service Employees (SQEES-FTQ).
“As you know, flexibility is really Mr. Legault’s favorite word. We would have liked its representatives at the sectoral tables to be flexible and to negotiate at the end of the week! They refused! What’s the problem?”, she punctuated with colorful language.
For its part, the office of the President of the Treasury Board, Sonia LeBel, assured that government teams are “available 24/7 to reach negotiated agreements and meetings take place all weekend with the unions. »
For her part, Jessica Goldschleger, first vice-president of the Federation of Professionals (FP-CSN), affirmed that this historic strike is “not only a fight for our working conditions, but a fight for the survival of our public services.”
“The employer proposals focus on temporary and very targeted measures for certain types of employment,” underlined Josée Fréchette, first vice-president of the Alliance of Professional and Technical Personnel in Health and Social Services (APTS). “But our requests are for everyone.”
“Should we choose which clientele should receive services? Do we have to choose which services need to improve? Are these the choices the government wants us to make?” she pressed.
Quebec does not, however, wish to change its position regarding differentiated offers.
“We reiterate that flexibility is essential for the government, particularly with regard to schedule management and travel on a voluntary basis,” added Ms. LeBel’s office.
A controversial bill
Adopted under gag order during the night from Friday to Saturday, Bill 15, which brings major reforms to the health system, does not seem to delight the members of the Common Front.
“[Le gouvernement] wants more control in its hands, particularly with Bill 15 which will centralize the network like never before,” ruled Mr. Leclerc. “He wants more control for his managers.”
This bill includes the creation of the new Santé Québec agency, which will be at the head of most of the management of the health system. This will involve hiring several high-ranking officials to manage this body.
Last Friday, members of the Common Front engaged in a new seven-day strike sequence, until December 14. The Interprofessional Health Federation (FIQ), which has just made a counter-offer in Quebec, will join them on Monday.
Quebec had proposed increasing “the parameters for all to 12.7% and the overall offer is now 16.7%” this week.
“Christmas is coming, our world is tired, our world wants to be recognized,” insisted Ms. Nelson.
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