Several sectoral agreements of principle were concluded Saturday evening in connection with the labor conflict between the Common Front and the government of Quebec.
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First, the Federation of Education Professionals of Quebec (FPPE-CSQ) obtained a proposal for a global regulation at its sectoral table.
The union, which represents 58 school service centers, will now submit this proposal to its Federal Council on Wednesday.
If this body accepts the proposal, it will therefore become an agreement in principle and can be presented to the members of the FPPE.
Negotiations had intensified in recent days between the union and the Employer Negotiating Committee for French-speaking school service centers.
The proposal targets the sectoral working conditions of professional staff in 58 school service centers across Quebec. The federation represents 19 unions with around 12,500 members, including engineers, analysts, educational advisors, librarians, psychologists, psychoeducators, speech therapists, remedial education specialists and guidance counselors.
The FPPE also ensures that negotiations are continuing for the collective agreements of its members of the English, Cree and Kativik school boards.
Finally, the union mentions that the problem still remains in terms of the issues at the central table.
“Salary issues must be resolved in order to avoid an unlimited general strike by the Common Front at the start of 2024,” asserts the FPPE (CSQ).
Sectoral agreement in principle for the FPPC
The Federation of Professional College Personnel (FPPC) also announced that the delegates of its 38 unions have approved a sectoral agreement in principle.
“So we’re halfway there. Now, we must recognize the value of our work in a global agreement,” proclaims the union group.
Hypothesis of agreement in principle for the FEESP-CSN
For its part, the negotiating committee of the FEESP-CSN School Sector (Federation of Public Service Employees) also reached “a hypothesis of agreement in principle with the Employer Negotiating Committee for French-speaking school service centers (CPNCF) and the Employer Negotiating Committee for English-speaking school boards (CPNCA) on sectoral matters affecting the working conditions of school support staff,” affirmed the FEESP-CSN on Facebook.
The hypothesis must still be presented to union delegates.
The FEESP-CSN wanted to point out that the central table issues were still up for discussion, such as salary issues in particular, to avoid an unlimited general strike in 2024.
General meetings will be held when an agreement has been reached.
Draft global regulations for CEGEPs
The negotiating committee of the Alliance of CEGEP Teachers’ Unions (ASPPC) also negotiated a draft global settlement with the College Employer Negotiating Committee (CPNC).
The agreement concerns sectoral matters affecting the working conditions of teaching staff in the public college network, said the National Federation of Teachers of Quebec (FNEEQ) Saturday evening on Facebook.
This project will be presented shortly after New Year’s Day for approval by ASPPC union delegates.
Salary parameters are still on the negotiating table and will need to be resolved to avoid an indefinite general strike by the Common Front.
As with other unions, general meetings will be held to present the results of the negotiations once the agreement in principle has been obtained, recalled the FNEEQ-CSN.
Among professionals too
The standoff could also end for health and social services and CEGEP professionals, while the two federations have reached a hypothetical sectoral agreement which will be submitted to the respective union authorities.
Thus, the negotiating committee of the Federation of Professionals (FP-CSN) reached a hypothesis of agreement on working conditions and practice in the health and social services network.
“Despite the hypothesis of sectoral agreement, the problem remains unsolved with regard to central table issues. In particular, salary issues must be resolved in order to avoid a GGI of the Common Front at the start of 2024,” indicated the union.
For the CEGEP sectors, the negotiating committee of the Federation of Professionals (FP-CSN) achieved the same result in the negotiation on working and practice conditions in the college network.