(Montreal) The Quebec Public and Parapublic Service Union, which has still not reached an agreement for the renewal of its collective agreements, is launching a campaign on the radio and on billboards.
The SFPQ, a large independent union which represents some 30,000 workers directly affected by these negotiations, is one of the three large unions in the public and parapublic sectors to have still not succeeded in reaching an agreement in principle with Quebec, with the Interprofessional Health Federation (FIQ) and the Government Professionals Union (SPGQ).
In its messages, the SFPQ asks the government to be “fair” and to offer “fair remuneration” to its civil servants and its workers as well.
He reports that according to the last official employer filing last December, Quebec still offers 12.7% over five years to its members, which he considers “clearly insufficient to cope with inflation”.
Quebec has since offered 17.4% to the other unions which have reached an agreement in principle with it, but the “official” submission of this offer has not been made to the SFPQ and the SPGQ, they have already affirmed. And they also have demands regarding teleworking.
“Obviously, for you, we are less important,” launches the SFPQ towards the Legault government, in its radio message.
The message from the SFPQ Workers unit indirectly addresses the possibility of a pressure tactics mandate that could lead to a strike, since this unit has requested mediation. However, the mediation report is a necessary step before obtaining the right to strike.
“Mr. Legault, have you had enough of strikes? Your workers are tired of being broken,” says the SFPQ radio message.
Of the approximately 30,000 members of the SFPQ in the public service, approximately 26,000 are office workers and technicians and 4,000 are workers who work in the various ministries.