It is on October 24 and 25 that the 80,000 members of the FIQ will be called upon to decide on the strike. And the mandate which is requested evokes an unlimited strike.
The decision was taken late Wednesday afternoon by a body of the union organization, which represents the vast majority of nurses, practical nurses, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists in Quebec.
Fully pumped, the approximately 500 delegates of the Interprofessional Health Federation (FIQ) who were gathered themselves adopted by more than 99% the proposal on the unlimited strike mandate.
Until the vote takes place, the FIQ unions will hold several information meetings for their members. But the vote, referendum type, will take place at the same time for all health establishments where the FIQ has members, i.e. on October 24 and 25.
The FIQ recently reduced its demands, in the hope of advancing its negotiation with Quebec, which has been going on for several months. The public sector collective agreements expired on March 31, but negotiations began before then.
The president of the FIQ, Julie Bouchard, reports the fed up of her members. “If we announce a strike, it’s because we no longer have a choice. Since our working conditions are already unacceptable, what the government is proposing to us at the negotiating table is to degrade them even further. »
The FIQ is particularly against the mobility and versatility requirements expected of nurses, who could be moved from health establishment, care unit or shift, without much notice, to fill gaps of personnel, depending on the interpretation it makes of government offers. She criticizes Quebec for wanting to treat nurses as “interchangeable pawns”.
Quebec says it wants to review the organization of work to ensure better functioning and needs more flexibility.
The union organization is also calling for a law on safe nurse/patient ratios, in order to reduce the burden of tasks.
The FIQ has already approved the lists of essential services to be maintained in the event of a strike. The Administrative Labor Court issued a series of decisions on this subject last June.
For example, if there is indeed a strike, in emergency and intensive care services, 100% of union members will have to remain at work. In operating theaters, 70% of services will be maintained in the majority of establishments; 80% in subspecialized centers.