Common front of the public sector: strike votes begin

Strike votes begin on Monday in the unions of the four organizations that form the common front of the public sector. The assemblies will be held until October 13.

The common front, formed by the CSN, the CSQ, the APTS and the FTQ, asks its 420,000 members for a mandate for an unlimited general strike. However, a possible indefinite strike would be preceded by strike days, isolated or grouped.

In the CSN, 33 general assemblies must be held during this first week of voting, from September 18 to 24.

At the FTQ, at least twenty Strike votes are scheduled during the week that begins in the affiliated unions.

In the CSQ, some They are scheduled this week in primary and secondary education as well as in universities and healthcare. The assemblies will be held mainly during the second and third week, it was specified.

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On the part of the APTS, in the field of health and social services, several assemblies are planned this week in the integrated centers of health and social services (CISSS) of Lanaudière, Laval, Montérégie-Ouest and Mauricie-Centre-du-Québec , as well as at the CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal and du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, as well as virtually for members in Montreal.

APTS President Robert Comeau has no doubt of getting a solid strike mandate.

We feel the indignation. We are impatient to reach an agreement. We feel that people see that there is a lack of listening on the part of the government to their requests, particularly regarding salaries, but also to resolve the overload of work.he explains.

They are also told that it is difficult at the negotiating tables, that there is little constructive discussion, so I don’t see how this could end except with a strong strike mandate.

Since APTS members work in health and social services, they will have to provide essential services in the event of a strike. Comeau assures that everything is tied up in this chapter.

Yes, it’s over. There are some things to adjust, but nothing major, nothing that will prevent us from taking action. It was done well in all establishments. Then, of course, we will strictly adhere to what was agreed with the employers to guarantee essential services to the population. We will be very, very rigorous about this.a promise from Mr. Comeau.

The pressure is increasing

So, the pressure increases on both sides.

For its part, Quebec announced that several bonuses paid to public sector workers will end on September 30. This affects nurses, specialized workers and psychologists, among others.

This means lost income for thousands of public service workers while these bonuses are renegotiated.

The collective agreements expired on March 31. Union demands were filed in fall 2022 and Quebec submitted its offers in December 2022.

Quebec offers all state employees a 9% raise over five years, plus a lump sum of $1,000 during the first year of their employment contract. He also wants to dedicate the equivalent of 2.5% to government prioritieswhich means that it presents its offer as equivalent to 13% over five years.

The common front, for its part, demands 100 dollars a week or the equivalent of the consumer price index (CPI), plus 2% during the first year – according to the formula that is most advantageous for the worker -, then the CPI plus 3% for the second year, then the CPI plus 4% for the third year.