The Quebec Interprofessional Health Federation (FIQ) is asking the Ministry of Labor to appoint a conciliator in the negotiations with the government, deploring “the too slow progress in the discussions”.
• Read also: Everything you need to know about public sector strikes
• Read also: Start of FIQ walkout: “It’s not moving forward at the negotiating table”
“After more than 75 negotiating sessions and more than a year at the table, we see that there are still very significant differences between us and the government,” lamented Julie Bouchard, president of the FIQ in a press release.
Disagreements still persist between the two parties, particularly regarding the management of overtime, ratios and compensation for inconveniences.
On these issues, “we are still very far apart”, added Ms. Bouchard who believes that the appointment of a conciliator could “help progress towards an agreement”.
“The government is stuck on its positions and refuses to compromise. The government’s proposals in no way correspond to the needs of healthcare professionals, particularly with regard to their need for stability and predictability in their work.”
The FIQ is calling for a conciliator “as quickly as possible” and specifies that its negotiating committee is ready to work during the holiday period.