(Montreal) Exhausted and angry, the nursing and cardiorespiratory staff affiliated with the CSN, the CSQ and the FTQ ask the representatives of the Legault government to sit down with their respective unions as part of the negotiations for the renewal of collective agreements of the public sector.
Posted on April 11, 2021 at 2:18 p.m.
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Their cry from the heart was brought to the public square on Sunday morning by the vice-president of the Federation of health and social services (FSSS-CSN), Josée Marcotte, the president of the Quebec union of employees and service employees (SQEES -FTQ), Sylvie Nelson, President of the Provincial Council of Social Affairs (CPAS-SCFP-FTQ), Frédéric Brisson and President of the Health Federation (FSQ-CSQ), Claire Montour, in a joint outing to a conference of virtual press.
They reiterated that their members are running out of steam, especially because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that nothing has been resolved on major issues for more than a year, such as mandatory overtime ( OST), patient-nurse ratio or workforce retention.
They accused the Legault government of publicly asserting that it is negotiating with the unions when this has not been the case at all for a year and a half, according to them.
These union representatives also deplore the fact that Quebec imposes its decisions with ministerial orders.
The unions therefore ask the government to conduct “real negotiations”. Failure to hear their appeal, the other step will be to go and adopt strike mandates, they warned.
Both Mr. Brisson and Mesdames Marcotte, Nelson and Montour indicated that their members – nurses, licensed practical nurses, respiratory therapists and perfusionists, among others – prefer to take care of their patients. They do not want to go on strike, according to them, but these unionized workers do not feel respected and intend to voice their discontent.
The FIQ, which represents the majority of nursing assistants in Quebec, has already reached an agreement in principle with regard to the working conditions of its members.
LeBel leaves his reserve
Questioned on the sidelines of a press conference in Montreal, the President of the Treasury Board, Sonia LeBel, left her reserve Sunday morning.
It is incorrect that there is nothing of interest on the table. Now we can discuss the proposals. For me, that makes a big difference to say that the government is standing still. This is wrong, I apologize, it is wrong.
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Sonia LeBel, President of the Conseil du trésor
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She argues that “excellent” offers were submitted to workers in “priority” sectors, that is to say nurses, orderlies, primary and secondary teaching staff as well as those in youth centers, between other.
“The mandates at the negotiating tables are clear. The sector envelopes are sufficient and generous in the context to be able to regulate working conditions, ”she added, referring to the deficit of 15 billion and the course for a balanced budget in seven years.
“I still want to continue to respect the power of the negotiating tables, let’s say it, and not to start negotiating in the public square, but I can’t help but set the record straight a little bit. hour. ”
As for the ministerial orders imposed in the context of the crisis, the minister recognized the fatigue of front-line workers, but invited them to “put things in perspective”.
“These decrees are there because we are currently having difficulties given the pandemic. Negotiations are for the future. ”
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