The court orders the government of Quebec, the Minister of Health Christian Dubé and the employers’ health negotiation committee to pay the sum of $315,000, distributed among seven health unions, because he obstructed their activities and negotiated dishonest.
The Administrative Labor Tribunal declares that the Government of Quebec, Minister Dubé and the employer negotiating committee failed in their obligation to negotiate in good faith and hindered the activities of the seven health unions which had filed a complaint.
The dispute related to a directive from the Ministry of Health which related to overtime pay at a double rate, in the summer of 2022, without any negotiation with the unions.
They complained that by proceeding unilaterally, Quebec had modified the conditions of remuneration for overtime provided for in the collective agreements. They saw it as an obstacle to union activities.
In its decision, the Administrative Labor Tribunal harshly criticizes the employer side. “The Court can only note the delinquent conduct of the defendants in a crucial phase, when the organizations are undertaking negotiations for the renewal of collective agreements,” he wrote.