Quebec's largest nurses' union rejects government deal

It's back to the negotiating table between the Quebec government and the provinces largest nurses union, Interprofessional Federation of Quebec (FIQ), after union members voted against it conditional contract last month there were negotiators from each side.

In March, negotiators on behalf of the FIQ, which represents about 80,000 nurses, practical nurses, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists, proposed that its members vote to accept the agreement, and members participated in a three-day referendum to decide.

But after 15 months of negotiations, the two sides failed to finalize the deal, with 61 percent of union members rejecting it.

According to the union's Facebook page, just over three-quarters of union members took part in the vote.

At a press conference on Saturday, FIQ president Julie Bouchard said the high turnout and public disapproval meant members felt the deal was “inadequate” and wanted to see their working conditions improved.

While admitting he was personally disappointed that his proposed deal was rejected, Bouchard said he was ready to return to the negotiating table.

According to Bouchard, the union leadership said it will first consult with its members to determine the exact reasons for the withdrawal and to regroup.

He also said pressure tactics remain on the table.

“We had a strike mandate in our pocket that could go as far as an indefinite general strike,” Bouchard said, but he added that a strike would only happen if called for by members.

In a press release, the union said its members were fed up with a “totally disorganized health care system” and wanted to “break the culture of doing more with less.”

Treasury Board calls for “flexibility.”

On X, formerly known as Twitter, Sonia Lebel, president of Quebec's Treasury Board, said talks would be renegotiated.

“We will meet with the union to understand what the obstacles are. However, the context and our goals remain the same, especially in terms of flexibility.”

Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé also said the government would continue discussions with health workers.

“We will continue to make the necessary changes to improve our healthcare network and become an employer of choice,” he said.

Some of the challenges for FIQ have been the government's insistence on “flexibility”, the ability to transfer nurses to different care units or health facilities based on need. The union also raised the issues of mandatory overtime and seniority recognition of nurses who worked with private agencies.

Parti Québécois health critic Joel Arsenault said the government needs to show more flexibility in dealing with nurses to keep the health system functioning.

“We can't imagine rebuilding the health care system without nurses,” Arsenault said. “We need the government to negotiate with them and help them juggle their family responsibilities and (their) professional work.”

There is no deal for other public sector unions

Earlier this year, after months of protests, a common front of public sector unions, known as the Front Commune, representing about 420,000 Quebec health and education workers, was ratified. deal with the government.

The Federation Autonomy (FAE), it represents 66,500 teachers in Quebec voted in favor February deal.

However, there are other unions that have yet to reach an agreement with Quebec.

The Federation of Quebec (FSQ-CSQ), there are 5,600 nursing assistants and respiratory therapists in several regions of the province. He will resume negotiations next week.

Syindicate de professionnelles and professionnels du gouvernement du Quebec (SPGQ), a trade union representing government experts and A public and parapublic syndicate in Quebec The (SFPQ), which mainly represents workers at the Ministry of Transport, is also without a deal.