–
–
Lia Levesque
The Canadian Press
It is 92.4% that the members of the APTS have just voted in favor of a mandate of at most 10 days of strike, to be held at the opportune moment.
Until now, in the public sector, strike mandates had only affected the education sector.
The Alliance of Professional and Technical Staff in Health and Social Services (APTS) represents 60,000 workers in health establishments and youth centers, for example. These are laboratory technicians, medical imaging technicians, social workers, psychologists and others.
In an interview with La Presse Canadienne on Thursday, the president of the APTS, Andrée Poirier, could not yet specify when the strike mandate will be exercised, or whether it will take the form of consecutive days. The decision will be taken in the coming days.
“There is not a union that is considering a strike out of heart. It is really the last resort within our grasp, when negotiations are at an impasse, ”Mr.me Pear tree.
The government’s offer of wage increases of 5% over three years, with lump sums and a possible increase of 1%, if inflation exceeds 5% and if the economic growth forecast by the government is there, is considered clearly insufficient by its members, reports Mr.me Pear tree.
Prime Minister François Legault presented it as an 8% offer.
“We have problems attracting and retaining labor. We have an explosion of waiting lists in several sectors. There is an overload of work. There are people who are leaving for the private sector, ”says the union leader.
“It’s up to him”
Prime Minister Legault’s press conference last Sunday, when he urged the 550,000 state employees to accept his offer, rather whipped them, she said.
“Our members really felt the intransigence. It pushes our members even more towards this solution. The current responsibility for starting the strike, if it takes place, I mean if it takes place, it falls entirely on him, ”exclaimed Mr.me Pear tree.
The president of the APTS also criticizes the government for wanting to divide workers in the public services. “Dealing with emergencies and leaving aside all the other sectors only announces a succession of crises. It takes a comprehensive response. Solutions here and there create inequalities. ”
Essential services
As it concerns health and social services, essential services will have to be maintained if a strike is indeed called. The percentage to be maintained varies according to the department and the lists of essential services have been approved by the Administrative Labor Tribunal.
For example, the lab technicians who do the tests for COVID-19 will not back down. “The operation of all services related to COVID will be ensured,” insisted Mr.me Pear tree.
Its members also work in rehabilitation in laboratories, nutrition, on technical platforms, in CLSCs, on the front line and in youth centers.
–
