This text is part of the special booklet 33rd congress of the FTQ
A few days before the end of his term as president of the Quebec Federation of Labor (FTQ), Daniel Boyer looks back on the past three years in a positive light. “We have made progress in certain areas and we have experienced the greatest mobilization in our history,” he summarizes. The victories obtained and the challenges to come are based on a commitment at all levels, particularly in the regions.
A great step forward for retirees
“We have taken a big step forward”, can be satisfied Daniel Boyer. The FTQ has been calling for years for the protection of workers’ pension plans in the event of business bankruptcy, by placing them among the priority creditors. “There have been several bills tabled in the past, which have never come to fruition,” recalls Denis Bolduc, Secretary General of the FTQ. But on November 23, the House of Commons unanimously adopted Bill C-228, which aims to protect retired workers weakened by the bankruptcy of their company.
“We have seen too many people in the past lose 20%, 30% or 40% of the value of their pensions in such a situation,” laments the Secretary General, who particularly salutes the work of the United Steelworkers on this issue and relishes finally “a great victory and a great result”.
An increasing minimum wage
For Daniel Boyer, the FTQ was a forerunner by launching a major campaign in 2013 to demand an increase in the minimum wage to $15 an hour. “We have moved a lot of governments forward. Before our campaigns, which mobilized labor organizations and our allies in civil society, minimum wage increases were minimal,” says Denis Bolduc, while remaining aware that a lot of work remains to be done.
The FTQ puts pressure on the government every week to stress the importance of raising the minimum wage, currently at $14.25 an hour, to $18 in a context where the interest rate and prices continue to climb. “The $15 requested during our previous campaign would be insufficient today, specifies the general secretary”, who estimates that these $18 could be reached fairly quickly by applying regular increases. This increase demanded by the central in its new campaign must be accompanied by other structuring measures, such as a real increase in social assistance and the solidarity tax credit, to allow the most disadvantaged to “take their heads out of the water on a recurring basis”, emphasizes Daniel Boyer. Because a check once in a while is not enough.
A record mobilization
The modernization of the Act respecting occupational health and safety is not yet satisfactory for the FTQ, but its president had never seen such mobilization. “It’s the largest in the plant’s history, which shows the importance of this issue. This is not yet a victory for the trade union movement, but it is one for mobilization, and that is important! “he believes.
The FTQ continues to put all the necessary pressure on the government to improve this law, in order to better prevent risks and protect workers in the event of injury or illness, assures its president.
Medicines for all
“The implementation of a universal drug insurance plan in Quebec would be another great victory, hopes Denis Bolduc. We have a hybrid diet and we think it does not work”. According to estimates by the FTQ, approximately 1 person out of 10 in Quebec would give up their prescription medication, for lack of means. ” [Des personnes] cut their pills in half or they go without buying medicine because they can’t afford it,” laments the Secretary General.
For the central, it is therefore necessary to set up a public and universal plan, which does not depend on the collective insurance plans in the companies. “We do the same representation at the federal level. If such a regime were put in place in Canada, Quebec would probably have to modify its regime as well,” said Denis Bolduc. For his part, Daniel Boyer argues that such a system would save $1 billion to $3 billion in Quebec according to economists, and a better distribution of risks among the population in a context where the public system is exploding. “When you don’t have access to the drugs you need, you risk having to be taken to the emergency room to receive care and services. We must move forward to give ourselves a more just and equitable society, ”advocates the president.
Modernize anti-scab laws
Ottawa launched consultations last October, with the goal of passing legislation banning the use of replacement workers during a strike or lockout (often referred to as “anti-scab legislation” or “anti-scab legislation”).scabs “). “Everything remains to be done”, indicates Denis Bolduc for whom victory is close, “but it is really time, and the government must accelerate”. “We are on the doorstep of finally having a federal law,” he hopes.
In Quebec, such legislation has existed since the 1970s, but the FTQ is calling for its modernization to include in the Labor Code the prohibition for companies to use remote replacement workers in the event of a strike. “A decision of the administrative court recognized that the law againstscabs applies to teleworking. This is progress,” says Mr. Bolduc, hoping that the province will enshrine this modernization in Quebec law to adapt to today’s reality.
A regional anchor
To carry out its actions, the FTQ can rely on the mobilization of its members throughout the province, where it has set up regional councils. “They are involved in regional economic development and they played a central role in certain regional battles, for example in Joliette by supporting the strikers at the Ash Grove cement plant for more than a year, underlines Daniel Boyer. These councils are very important and I invite all of our unions to join them and participate in the mobilization in the regions. »
The FTQ organizes regular meetings with these advisors who represent all regions in Quebec. “We have three general councils a year and each time we plan a meeting day with our regional councillors”, specifies Denis Bolduc. These meetings make it possible to discuss the problems and challenges encountered in each of the regions, to share the successes, but also the disappointments. “The more locals join their regional councils, the stronger the latter are,” encourages the general secretary.
Other challenges are in the crosshairs of the FTQ, which is mobilizing in particular for the reform of employment insurance. Denis Bolduc perceives “an intention to move on the part of the federal government”, but regrets that he seems to want to go there “piece by piece”. The francization of immigrants in businesses is also a major concern, as well as the fight against tax evasion, which allows businesses that pay their employees the minimum wage to generate profits of hundreds of millions of dollars and hardly pay of tax. “It’s a long-term job, countries are in economic competition and are reluctant to move if their neighbors don’t. But by dint of putting the subject on the table, they have become more and more aware of it and this file has moved forward with the adoption of the minimum corporate tax of 15% by 137 countries and jurisdictions of the OECD. , says Denis Bolduc, broken in patience.
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.