Meeting in a special federal council on October 2 and 3, the union representatives learned about the latest news from the bargaining table.

Just as the parties were reaching a turning point in the negotiations, the employer pulled a rabbit out of its hat: a complete reorganization of all the premiums provided in the collective agreement. Even if they say they want to simplify granting the various premiums your are entitled to, it seems cleat that their real intention is to reduce the premiums and penalize those who work part time.

The government doesn’t give up: they want flexibility. Flexibility means changing the shift and redefining the centre of activities, so that healthcare professionals can be moved around as they please, like pawns. This is degrading and does not correspond to our definition of an “employer of choice”.

As for mandatory overtime, the government is proposing not recognizing it if you have not worked a 37.5-hour week at straight time. As such, an employee who works 7.5 hours in a day could be paid at straight time for overtime or mandatory overtime.

Over the next few days, your Negotiating Committee will be prioritizing our demands in an attempt to break the deadlock at the bargaining table. When we learned of this, the government told us that it was going to withdraw some of its proposals as well. At this point and given the way the employer has behaved since the beginning of these negotiations, we have little hope that these changes will be positive for healthcare professionals.

Another special federal council is planned for October 10 and 11 to learn about the results of these prioritization exercises. The following week, general assemblies will be held to inform you about the state of your negotiations and address the ultimate means at your disposal: a strike.

Remember that a strike is not an end in itself, but a means of supporting your Negotiating Committee and for it to get you the agreement you deserve. Your participation in these general assemblies, and the actions that will follow, is vital. Stay tuned for information from your local representatives over the next few days.

Your representatives in action

Photograph : Samuel Tessier