The President of the Ministry of Finance, Sonia LeBel, presented this Sunday an offer that, in particular, provides for a salary increase of 10.3% over five years for public servants, as well as a lump sum of 1,000 US dollars. Unions responded by saying they were “disappointed and insulted” by the government’s request.
Compared to its previous offer, Quebec is therefore increasing the salary increase from 9 to 10.3% over five years. A flat rate of $1,000 is still proposed for all employees from the first year of the tariff. The proportion reserved for differentiated offers for certain categories of employees will be increased from 2.5% to 3% “in order to respond to work organization challenges,” emphasized Ms. LeBel.
“Yes, we need to pay state workers better, but I also have a responsibility to ensure that every dollar from taxpayers’ pockets is maximized and has a long-term impact across our networks, not a temporary impact. That is why we absolutely have to address issues of work organization,” said the minister, who is also responsible for government administration. His new proposal specifically envisages offering assistance to secondary school classes in addition to primary school classes.
Sonia LeBel also announced that the temporary bonuses will be extended until the collective agreements are renewed, with the exception of those related to the health emergency. They were supposed to end on March 31st and were extended until September 30th and then October 15th.
On the way to the strike
The unions have come together in a common front: the Federation of Quebec Workers (FTQ), the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ), the Alliance of professional and technical personnel in Health and Social Services (APTS) and the Confederation of Unions (CSN ). ) responded to the offer by confirming that the 420,000 members they represent are still heading for a first day of strike on November 6th.
The Interprofessional Health Federation of Quebec (FIQ), which represents 80,000 nurses and other health workers, will walk off the job on November 8th and 9th.
“We are offended and angry because the word ‘disappointed’ isn’t even strong enough. We moved for free. We do not take into account the groups we represent,” complained Robert Comeau, president of the APTS. He believes Sunday’s offer will strengthen the mobilization of his members.
Offering a salary increase of 10.3% over five years would be tantamount to mocking workers, complained CSN vice-president François Enault. “We are telling the vast majority of our members today that they should continue to get poorer. »
Instead, the common front argues for an increase of around 20% over three years, depending on inflation forecasts.
Magali Picard, president of the FTQ, also expressed disappointment that François Legault’s government had not made “significant progress”.
The latter said: “I want to advance something with this deposit, but it is a missed opportunity,” said Mélanie Hubert, president of the Autonomous Federation of Education. This union group, which represents 65,000 teachers, is not part of the common front, but also has a strike mandate. We currently do not know the selected date.
Sonia LeBel says she is “surprised”
In an interview with Le Devoir, Sonia LeBel said she was surprised by the speed of the unions’ response to her proposal. “The ink is not yet dry on the deposit when it is wiped away with the back of the hand with extremely strong and harsh words. »
The minister calls on the trade union organizations to “properly examine” their offer and then come back to them. “A deposit is very complex and nuanced. »
“If my solutions are not what you want, we must at least discuss them and then we will be able to agree,” she continues. She says she remains committed to reaching an agreement with unions by the end of the year.