The union which represents some 400 employees of the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (INSPQ) confirms that the activities of the organization will be disrupted as of Monday by a three-day strike by members working in Quebec and Montreal.
These include scientific advisors, information officers, computer analysts and nursing advisors, among others.
The strike notice was sent more than a week ago to the INSPQ by the Union of Public Health Professionals of Quebec (SPPSPQ), which is attached to the Central Trade Unions of Quebec (CSQ).
The first day of the strike will be marked by a demonstration which will take place starting at 11 a.m. in front of the National Assembly, in Quebec. Around 1 p.m., the demonstrators will move towards the offices of the Treasury Board, in Quebec. In addition, pickets will be set up in front of the INSPQ offices located on Wolfe Avenue.
In Montreal, there will be a demonstration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in front of the INSPQ offices located on Crémazie Boulevard East.
Remuneration is the main point in dispute. Since the collective agreement expired on March 31, 2020, these workers have not had a salary increase since. The union had postponed the holding of negotiations for the renewal of the collective agreement, because of the context of the pandemic of the COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021.
The president of the union, Étienne Pigeon, affirms that the salaries of the members are at least 15% lower than those of their colleagues at the National Institute of Excellence in Health and Social Services (INESSS) for similar functions. Both institutes are funded by the Treasury Board.
As this is the health sector, essential services must be maintained.