Barely a week before the two-day strike, nurses represented by the Interprofessional Health Federation (FIQ) have again rejected an offer from the government.
• Also read: Monster demonstration by the FIQ in front of Minister Dubé’s offices
• Also read: Common front: “An offer that shows the seriousness of the government,” says Sonia LeBel
The government’s fourth offer, presented on Sunday and described as “disappointing, inadequate and insulting”, was rejected by FIQ delegates on Wednesday, the union said late this afternoon.
“This proposal shows the government’s lack of respect for a predominantly female workforce,” FIQ President Julie Bouchard protested in a press release.
The union is particularly concerned about the government’s desire to transfer staff from one facility or department to another while sidelining nurses’ preferences and experience.
“Minister LeBel says she doesn’t want to force anyone to travel for their shift, but that’s not what we’re being told at the negotiating table. The management side claims that they will initially look for volunteers. If it finds none or not enough, it will enforce the step,” commented Jérôme Rousseau, vice president and co-leader of the negotiations.
Treasury President Sonia LeBel announced Sunday that she had made an offer that would include a 15% across-the-board salary increase. “We hope to receive constructive feedback from unions to move forward,” she added.
Limited strike
The FIQ held a large demonstration in front of the office of Health Minister Christian Dubé in La Prairie on Monday. Its approximately 80,000 members now have to hold two strike days on November 8th and 9th to increase the pressure on the government.
The union received a mandate from its members allowing it to launch an indefinite strike. It should be noted that since healthcare is an essential service, there are guidelines in place that determine which employees can strike and for how long.
Staff must provide normal performance in the emergency and intensive care units, but, for example, only 70% of the scheduled hours are offered in the operating rooms, while 85% of the performance now goes to wards such as pediatrics, hemodialysis or radiation oncology.