François Legault says he is ready to improve Quebec’s salary offer to public sector employees, but only in exchange for greater flexibility from the unions.
• Read also: Historic day: 560,000 workers on strike
However, the Prime Minister has not quantified the increase that he is ready to put on the table.
For the moment, Quebec is offering 10.3% over five years, in addition to larger increases in certain sectors. With all the sums proposed, including the lump sum, the government estimates its current proposal at 14.8%.
“We are ready to improve our offer which currently shows an increase of 14.8%. But I insist, it is not true that we are going to miss another negotiation to find the flexibility that is necessary to provide more effective services to Quebecers,” declared François Legault before entering question period. , accompanied by the President of the Treasury Board, Sonia LeBel.
The proposed increase would affect both the salaries of all employees (the “parameters”) and the sector, specified Mr. Legault while some 565,500 workers took to the streets on Thursday.
- Listen to the interview with Claude Gravel, lawyer specializing in labor law, on Marie Montpetit’s microphone via QUB radio:
Lack of respect
For the president of the FTQ, Magali Picard, the Prime Minister’s exit represents a “lack of respect” for the people at the negotiating tables.
“I find it a shame that the negotiators who, for a year, have been working hard to be able to reach an agreement in principle learned from the media this morning that he is ready to review his salary offer », declared the representative of the Union Common Front.
Launched in the middle of an unlimited general strike, the Autonomous Federation of Education (FAE) reacted in the same direction. “If Mr. Legault is serious, it is at the negotiating tables that it must happen first,” asserts its president, Mélanie Hubert.
More flexibility
The Prime Minister deplores the fact that the unions refuse to grant more flexibility to the government in the organization of work.
For example, Quebec would like to allow nurses to choose to work a 12-hour shift or work evenings and weekends in order to reduce the use of mandatory overtime.
The Minister of Health summarized the government’s philosophy as follows: “We must change union rights for personal rights.”
Quebec also wants to be able to assign classes to teachers from June, rather than doing it in a hurry just before the start of the school year.
“They don’t want to give us that flexibility,” says François Legault.
But the president of the FAE replies that the assignment of teachers is negotiated with the service centers according to local needs. “By changing the rules at this time, he is making things more complex and delaying a possible settlement,” says Mélanie Hubert.
The Minister of Education, Bernard Drainville, is also concerned about the impact of a prolonged suspension of classes. “This strike, if it lasts too long, it will have an impact on the success of children. There are delays that will accumulate. Our children, they have barely come out of two years of pandemic,” he points out.
– With TVA News
Strike calendar
day by day
Tuesday
Common Front Strike Day 1 of 3
Details
Who is mobilized?
- 420,000 workers affiliated with the CSN, the CSQ, the FTQ and the APTS. This front brings together workers from the health and education networks.
- In schools, the Common Front represents support staff, professionals and 60% of teachers.
- In CEGEPs, 85% of teachers are affiliated with the Common Front via the CSN.
- In the health network, the Common Front represents professionals and technicians in addition to office employees.
Disruptions to expect
- Picket lines in front of schools, CEGEPs, health and social service establishments.
- Classes in schools and daycare services are suspended in most school service centers in Quebec. Also closure of administrative centers.
Planned events
- No large-scale demonstration is planned.
Wednesday
Common Front Strike Day 2 of 3
Details
Who is mobilized?
- 420,000 workers affiliated with the CSN, the CSQ, the FTQ and the APTS. This front brings together workers from the health and education networks.
- In schools and CEGEPs, the Common Front represents support employees, professionals and 60% of teachers.
- In the health network, the Common Front represents professionals and technicians in addition to office employees.
Disruptions to expect
- Picket lines in front of schools, CEGEPs, health and social service establishments.
- Classes in schools and daycare services are suspended in most school service centers in Quebec. Also closure of administrative centers.
Planned events
- No large-scale demonstration is planned.
THURSDAY
Common Front Strike Day 3 of 3
Details
Who is mobilized?
- 420,000 workers affiliated with the CSN, the CSQ, the FTQ and the APTS. This front brings together workers from the health and education networks.
- In schools and CEGEPs, the Common Front represents support employees, professionals and 60% of teachers.
- In the health network, the Common Front represents professionals and technicians in addition to office employees.
Disruptions to expect
- Picket lines in front of schools, CEGEPs, health and social service establishments.
- Classes in schools and daycare services are suspended in most school service centers in Quebec. Also closure of administrative centers.
Planned events
- Rally planned in front of the National Assembly of Quebec between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- Demonstration from Collège Maisonneuve in Montreal from 10 a.m.
FIQ strike Day 1 of 2
Details
Who is mobilized?
- The Quebec Interprofessional Health Federation (FIQ) represents 80,000 nurses, practical nurses, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists.
Disruptions to expect
- Picket lines in front of health and social services establishments.
- In the health network, the strike is governed by essential services. Some treatments will therefore be slowed down on certain units.
- It is also mandatory that 70% of operating services and 80% of services in subspecialized centers be maintained.
Planned events
- No large-scale demonstration is planned.
FAE general strike Unlimited
Details
Who is mobilized?
- The Autonomous Education Federation (FAE) represents 66,000 teachers located in Montreal, Quebec, Outaouais, the Laurentians, Estrie and Montérégie. This represents 40% of teachers.
Disruptions to expect
- Picket lines in front of schools
- Suspension of classes for an indefinite period in school service centers represented by the FAE. The return to class will only happen if the union reaches an agreement in principle or sees significant progress at the negotiating table.
Planned events
- At 11:30 a.m., demonstration “for teachers and public schools” organized by the FAE at Jarry Park, in Montreal.