Around thirty skilled workers from the CIUSSS du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean – in the middle of negotiations to renew their collective agreement – demonstrated on Wednesday morning in front of the offices of Minister Andrée Laforest.
These workers, who perform repair and maintenance work, among other things, are demanding a pay increase that is competitive with the private sector.
The public sector offers them around twenty dollars an hour, while in the private sector they can earn 30% more. A permanent full-time position is no longer enough to persuade them to stay.
“I come from construction, in 2000 there was a difference of $5 an hour and today we’re talking about a difference of $23 an hour. I’m retiring soon, otherwise I would definitely leave,” said Michel Dallaire, an electrician at Jonquière Hospital for 25 years.
“I am always looking for a job. Normally it shouldn’t be like this,” complained his colleague Olivier Tremblay, an electrician at Alma Hospital.
Current salary conditions are creating a serious problem with attracting and retaining workers in the public sector.
“It worries us because we have several buildings that require specific maintenance and tools specialized in the health sector,” said Olivier Côté, president of the union of paratechnical staff, auxiliary services and health and social services professions in the region (CSN).
Subcontracting
Due to labor shortage, the government opts for subcontracting. A situation that the President of the Federation of Health and Services of the CSN, Réjean Leclerc, deplores.
He argues that paying skilled workers adequately would be more beneficial to the government than opting for subcontracting.
“Because specialized workers don’t have a profit margin to cover. They have no administrative costs, they are employees. Therefore, the government is very interested in hiring more,” he explained.
“Because specialized workers don’t have a profit margin to cover. They have no administrative costs, they are employees. Therefore, the government is very interested in hiring more,” Mr. Côté continued.
status quo
Despite several discussions about possible solutions, the government refuses to change its 10.3% salary offer.
“We are in the middle of negotiations, it is the right time. Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean will not give up, that’s for sure. I want Minister Laforest to know and tell them at the tables there!” supported Hélène Brassard, regional vice-president of the Federation of Health and Social Services for Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean (CSN).
Despite Minister Laforest’s absence, they assure that pressure tactics will continue to increase if negotiations stall.