Thinking about the future to act in the present

This text is part of the special booklet 33rd congress of the FTQ

Lhe upheavals of the past two years have shaped our present and question our future. This context is conducive to questioning for the Quebec Federation of Labor (FTQ). During his 33^econgress, which will take place from January 16 to 19, the trade union center will sign a political declaration on the pandemic and will project itself in 20 years to act better today.

At the 2013 convention, Daniel Boyer was elected president of the FTQ. It was also on this occasion that the organization voted its first resolution to hold the Estates General on unionism in Quebec, a wish that was renewed at the following two conventions. “This year, we have decided to take the lead by first reflecting with our members on our own bases”, indicates the president, who will retire at the end of this 33rd^e Congress.

The prospective approach consists of projecting oneself into the future by imagining possible futures. It is well known to companies, but it was hitherto unheard of for a union in Quebec. “We project ourselves into 2042 to question ourselves. No subject is taboo, we review everything: the good shots, the bad shots, what we want and what we don’t want, ”says the president.

A collective work of foresight

“It’s a process that’s been going on for a year,” says Colin L’Ériger, director of the research department at the FTQ, who involved 700 people and led discussion groups with his colleagues Lucie Morissette, Lise Côté and Wilfried Cordeau, to lead this project. Four scenarios were developed, each describing a trajectory that the power plant could take by 2042. These scenarios were constructed by combining several hypotheses (internal or external, emerging or new) that could influence the project’s trajectory, such as the number of members, trade union unity, the political context, the environment or technological changes.

“It’s a trigger for reflection that brings us back to the present, to ask ourselves: how do we prepare for the worst, but also for the best? summarizes Colin L’Ériger. During the congress, the delegates will discuss the plant’s vision for the future and the concrete actions to be implemented in the short and medium term to achieve the objectives set. “This will then allow us to start from these bases to discuss with the other labor organizations in Quebec on the future of trade unionism,” hopes Daniel Boyer.

A statement to soar

Delegates will also consider a draft political declaration on the pandemic, which will be finalized and put to a vote during the congress. This twenty-page document comprising four sections (work, society, politics and the economy) takes stock of the deep problems revealed by the crisis, such as inequalities, poor working conditions, the fragility of the chains supply, the weakening of the health system, the greed of certain companies, or even the authoritarian attitude of the government.

“The latter ruled for two years by decree, without real opposition or accountability. This needs to be corrected, ”said Denis Bolduc, general secretary of the FTQ, for whom this declaration will give impetus to the central union over the next three years with regard to the management of this health crisis and its effects.

“The pandemic has led us to reflect on the major current issues,” said Daniel Boyer, who is awaiting concrete action from the government in the context of the ongoing negotiations in the public sector. “I would like him to take into account the fact that we must reinvest in the health workforce and in education”, indicates the one who calls for an improvement in income, but also for a broader reflection on the future of these public services. “It’s not just a question of salary, but also of work organization, flexibility and work-family balance, he lists. All of these issues are important and this negotiation will be crucial for the future of our public services. »

This special content was produced by the Special Publications team of the To have to, relating to marketing. The drafting of To have to did not take part.

This special content was produced by Le Devoir’s special publications team, reporting to marketing. The editorial staff of Le Devoir did not take part.

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