Despite months of negotiations and the threat of a strike earlier this year, a rift remains between the largest nurses' union and the Legault government. If the issue of class composition is at the heart of the FAE's indefinite teachers' strike, here is a summary of what divides the parties on the health issue.
12.7% over 5 years or 20% over 4 years?
In its latest proposal, Quebec is offering a 12.7% salary increase over five years. We are a long way from the 20% over four years that the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ) demands.
The union is demanding a 6% pay increase effective April 1, then 4% raises for 2023 and 2024, followed by 3% bonuses in the following two years.
And if the increase in the cost of living ever exceeds this increase, the FIQ requires that salaries follow inflation.
Return of a bonus, increased
In addition, the union is calling for an increase in the recognition bonus previously paid to nursing and cardiorespiratory nurses from 3.5% to 6%.
But last October, Quebec eliminated that bonus. The Treasury considered that this was a temporary bonus to recognize the work of nurses as they resumed work after the pandemic. Rather, the FIQ saw this as a differentiated remuneration in order to attract and retain nursing staff.
At the weekend the salary increased by 50%
If you work in the health network on weekends you should be entitled to a 50% increase in salary, the FIQ believes.
Currently, a nurse instead receives a bonus of 4% or 8%, depending on the situation.
FIQ President Julie Bouchard, while acknowledging the importance of the motion, reiterated in early December that she intended to maintain it “until the end.”
Extra time
According to FIQ, Quebec will now require that only hours worked over 37.5 hours per week be paid as overtime, and at double the time. Thus, a nurse who stays for a second evening shift would be paid at the flat rate if the total hours worked do not exceed a normal workweek.
The union demands that overtime be paid at double or one and a half times the amount in addition to the accrued vacation.
Quebec calls for more flexibility
The Legault government recognizes that negotiations in the health sector are more difficult. “There is almost no openness to give us the flexibility that is absolutely necessary to improve health services. “So I think things will get better in January,” Prime Minister François Legault said recently.
According to Treasury Department President Sonia LeBel, FIQ's demands are “unrealistic” and would require the addition of “thousands and thousands of healthcare workers.”
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