Negotiations between the Interprofessional Health Federation of Quebec (FIQ) and the Quebec government are progressing “very quietly”, according to the union. Its president, Julie Bouchard, however notes a “good openness” on the part of the employer side regarding one of its priorities, the establishment of ratios of patients per professional. The FIQ always rejects the flexibility requested by the employer.
“We are not in an intensive period of negotiations, not at all,” Julie Bouchard said in an interview. We are still very far from an agreement in principle. » She emphasizes, however, that the tone at the negotiating table is “very cordial”. The conciliator remains “very helpful”. “For the last two or three negotiating sessions, it’s really focused solely on professional-patient ratios,” she explains. This is the first time that the employer has asked so many pointed questions. »
The FIQ, which represents 80,000 professionals, including nurses, insists that ratios must be applied to attract and retain staff in the public network. The union proposes that these ratios be deployed in a “progressive manner” in certain CHSLDs and units such as surgery and medicine, where pilot projects have already taken place. “It’s about taking it little by little, precisely so as not to make a mistake, so as not to take too big a bite and then create something too big that we won’t be able to achieve.” said Julie Bouchard.
According to the president of the FIQ, the question of evening, night and weekend bonuses would be practically resolved. “There may be another turn of the wheel to do, but for the vast majority [des choses]it’s attached,” she says.
The FIQ refuses the requested flexibility
The flexibility requested by Quebec remains in dispute. The FIQ maintains that Quebec wants to impose the compulsory movement of healthcare professionals from a center of activity — hospital, CHSLD, etc. – to the other. The government claims that these trips would be carried out on a voluntary basis.
“When we speak with healthcare professionals, it’s a complete rejection,” says Julie Bouchard. If, tomorrow morning, I arrive with the best agreement in principle in the world, and if there is compulsory travel, it will never happen. » She repeats that she misunderstands this employer request since the “vast majority” of local collective agreements include an article indicating that an employee can volunteer to travel.
According to Julie Bouchard, the main concern of its members remains the working conditions, “which will allow them to provide the best care to the population”, and not the salary. She believes that discussions will intensify from March when the Common Front votes on the agreement in principle will have taken place.
Asked to react, Treasury Board President Sonia LeBel said: “Negotiations are continuing and we are making every effort to reach an agreement as quickly as possible. »