The government of the Canadian province of Quebec is under unprecedented pressure from several health and education unions. This Monday, around 420,000 state employees went on strike for a few hours as part of the renegotiation of their collective agreements and are threatening larger actions. The parties have been trying to reach an agreement for more than a year, which currently seems a long way off. Quebec has one of the largest welfare states in the Americas, but this service structure has had to contend with financial cuts and staffing problems; also to the increase in the cost of living.
Hundreds of pickets disrupted activities in schools in Montreal, Quebec, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières and other Quebec cities this Monday. Similarly, there were significant disruptions to the healthcare network, although essential services were not affected. Around 80,000 workers in the care sector are on strike this Wednesday and Thursday. If a solution is not reached, members of the Common Front – the movement that includes the various fighting unions – have announced that they will go on strike from November 21st to 23rd. The next step would be an unlimited general strike.
The main demand from employees is salary increases. They are demanding a 20% increase in three years. On October 29, union leaders rejected a government proposal for a 10.3% increase over five years, calling it “ridiculous.” Magali Picard, president of the Quebec Federation of Trade Unions, noted that the provincial government “must come to the negotiating table with real proposals.” In Canada, health and education are the responsibility of the provinces. In June, a majority of MPs in Quebec’s National Assembly voted for a 30% pay increase. The approval of this initiative was seen as a slap in the face for civil servants who have been waiting for months for their collective agreements to be renewed.
The President of the Ministry of Finance, Sonia LeBel, said on He also called on the unions to improve work organization and adopt a more open attitude at the dialogue tables, calling on them to present “a constructive counteroffer in an appropriate form”. LeBel added: “A negotiation cannot be one-sided.”
Polls in recent weeks reflect a decline in the popularity of Quebec Premier François Legault. The nationalist and conservative politician has governed the majority since October 2018. The renegotiation of collective agreements for public employees and the heated discussions about financial support for transport in the Greater Montreal area largely explain this change in the surveys. Legault attributes this to a complicated economic context, particularly the impact of inflation.
/p>
The five-day agenda
The most important business quotes of the day, with the keys and context to understand their significance.
RECEIVE IT IN YOUR EMAIL