The controversy surrounding the subsidy for the arrival of the Los Angeles Kings in Quebec comes at a very bad time for the Legault government, as a major series of strikes begins in the public sector. Minister Sonia LeBel calls on the population and the unions to avoid mixing the two issues.
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“There is no, no, no, impact on the negotiations,” emphasizes the President of the Ministry of Finance, who continues to assume that the $ 5 to 7 million allocated to host two preparatory games at the Videotron Center becomes an argument of the Common become front side.
The sums involved in renewing collective agreements for state employees are “colossal,” she argues in an interview with our parliamentary office. And above all: they happen again and again.
Quebec’s offer is $8 billion a year, recalls Sonia LeBel.
“We need to understand that the impact of the negotiations on the provincial budget is on a completely different level than this type of initiative,” she said.
Despite this warning, the Minister recognizes that the issue will shape discussions. “When we have such an important negotiation, it is certain that everything will come to the negotiating table. It is certain that the unions will do everything to create an amalgam,” said the CAQ minister.
Salary freeze for MPs
In the same breath, the minister explained the recent decision by the CAQ caucus to reject the salary indexation planned for this year after a 30% increase last spring.
It’s not about sending a message or reacting to the discontent among the population, she assures. The bonus, decided after a “reassessment” of the work of the MPs, covered the planned annual increase from the start as part of a trailer clause with holders of a higher position.
“It was a no-brainer for us that it was included,” says Ms. LeBel. The caucus discussion merely served to clarify the situation after the issue resurfaced in the media.
Waiting for a counteroffer
After putting forward a new offer at the end of October, the minister is now awaiting a “constructive” counter-proposal from the Common Front unions – which represents the 420,000 members of the FTQ, CSN, CSQ and APTS – and other trade union groups.
“From the beginning, I took four steps regarding government hiring and offers. They are still in their position from October 2022. This is not a negotiation,” complains Sonia LeBel.
The minister is also having trouble getting an answer about the reorganization of work in the classroom and in hospitals. “We offer help to the class, they tell me it’s not enough. OK, but how many more do you want?” she asks the union negotiators.
Added to this is the complexity of negotiating with multiple unions (Common Front, FAE, FIQ, etc.), not all of which have the same demand for “parametric” salary increases. Some charge 16%, others 21% or 24%. “Some are over three years, others over four years,” explains Sonia Lebel.
“It’s just that they don’t all agree. The central table does not have a common query of the parameters. […] “I’m not going to do an auction on the parameters if I have eight different demands on the other side,” she says.
Current offer from Quebec
- 10.3% over five years;
- Plus 3% for certain sectors;
- $1,000 for all first-year employees;
- Additional bonus averaging 1% for employees earning less than $52,000 per year or starting their careers.
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