In a decision rendered Sunday evening, the Administrative Labor Tribunal declared illegal the pressure tactic advocated by the Interprofessional Health Care Union (FIQ-SISSAT) in Abitibi-Témiscamingue.
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Quebec and the Integrated Health and Social Services Center of Abitibi-Témiscamingue contested the cancellation by union members of overtime scheduled in their schedules and the withdrawal of their availability for the week of May 25 to June 1.
This concerted refusal was associated by administrative judge Karine Blouin with a strike for which the FIQ-SISSAT had not obtained a mandate. According to her, the conflict could harm a service to which the population is entitled, since it exposed around 400 work shifts in the CISSS-AT establishments.
In its decision, the Tribunal adds that even taking as proven the consequences of the labor shortage on the employees targeted by the union’s bargaining unit, the reasons why the latter have decided to cease providing their usual work performance are not relevant for the purposes of the dispute
of which it is seized.
The Labor Court warns that its order is equivalent to a judgment of the Superior Court. The parties are therefore likely to be charged with contempt of the Tribunal if they refuse to comply.
The FIQ-SISSAT will not make any comments before having consulted its members, which it must do on Monday evening.
Radio-Canada was unable to obtain any reactions from the CISSS-AT.
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