The president of the FTQ, Magali Picard, is bringing forward her return to Quebec, given the discomfort caused by her absence, while public sector negotiations are in an intense phase.
Mme Picard is in Dubai, where she is attending a COP environmental conference.
The FTQ first announced that Mme Picard would return next Monday from the conference. But two hours later, the union center announced on Tuesday that the president would return “tomorrow”, i.e. Wednesday.
In a written statement, the FTQ announced that Mr.me Picard “is still on file” for the negotiation of the Common Front, of which the FTQ is a member, with the CSN, the CSQ and the APTS.
“She remains ready to intervene with the government with her colleagues at all times,” said the Quebec Federation of Workers.
The central union adds that “the FTQ has participated in the various COPs since the very beginning” of these environmental conferences. “It is important for our organization to be vigilant and protect the rights of workers in the transformation to a green economy,” she added.
At a press briefing with the other members of the common front on Tuesday, Mélanie Gougeon, public sector negotiation coordinator for the FTQ, assured that the absence of Mme Picard at this point in the negotiation process was not hindering the continuation of negotiations.
“Madame Picard, she is in constant contact with the negotiating team; just yesterday, upon landing, I was texting with her, calling. So, she follows the file from where she is,” said M.me Gougeon.