While the last sectoral table of the Common Front agreed on a basic unification hypothesis, a result could be reached at the central table very soon.
• Also read: Basic agreements are made in the eight industry tables of the FTQ
• Also read: Industry agreements in principle: “It’s a sigh of relief for Mr. Legault”
• Also read: Common Front sectoral agreements increase pressure on the FAE
This is what former director of the Canadian Union of Public Employees in Quebec, Marc Ranger, says in an interview with LCN, adding that two key elements for the negotiations to progress have been achieved.
“We have two indicators that we are on the right track,” he said. The industry table was cleared last night. It was that too [même] final sector table to be settled in 2021, shortly before the last blitz tournament.”
“The other important note is this […] The government is looking for a lot of flexibility in work organization, he continues. I know and understand that there have been compromises at the sectoral tables regarding this flexibility, be it in education or health.”
The fact that the two parties agree on these two points could lead to negotiations at the central table being accelerated so that an agreement is reached – or not.
“So we are only a few hours away, perhaps 24 hours at most, from having clear indications as to whether we are heading towards an agreement, i.e. a fundamental agreement, or whether it will not work out in the end,” says the ex-union leader. I expect a result that could be quite quick.”
If an agreement in principle is reached, the decision on how to proceed rests with state officials.
“The final step is the members,” says Mr. Ranger. That's why tension is currently high. Expectations for salary increases are high and this will be the final step.”
If no agreement is reached, the Common Front is threatening an unlimited general strike, although this could not begin immediately when the planned return to classes begins.
“If no agreement is reached, there will be a delay of 7 working days,” he explains. We are in the holiday season, so we should not expect an indefinite general strike before mid-January.”
“But in the case of the Common Front, if I had to make a prediction, I believe that the stars are aligning well at the moment, even if it is the most fragile time right now,” he added.
Watch the full interview in the video above