In addition to the Common Front, which has been on strike since Friday December 8th, and the Autonomous Education Federation (FAE), which has been on indefinite strike since November 23rd, the FIQ is also on strike until December 14th.
• Also read: Deadlock in negotiations: The Common Front does not rule out the idea of an unlimited strike
• Also read: FIQ presented its counteroffer
• Also read: “It is clearly inadequate”: FIQ rejects improved offer from Quebec
“There is no progress at the negotiating table,” said Julie Bouchard, president of the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec. “Unfortunately, we still encounter common pitfalls. For us, this fourth attack sequence is more than necessary.”
With FIQ joining the strike, more than half a million union members are currently on strike.
It was Friday evening when the FIQ made its counteroffer to the government after rejecting Quebec's latest proposal. This offer, which promised them a salary increase of 12.5% over five years, was rejected by 99% of members.
“We continue to negotiate everything that is sectoral, that is, our actual working conditions,” says Ms. Bouchard. “Discussions about the question of the relationship between specialists and patients, the compatibility of work and family and questions about work overload are ongoing.”
The union is lowering its salary expectations and is now demanding a 20% increase over four years.
When asked about the relevance of an arbitrator, Ms Bouchard reiterated that it was “still too early” to address the matter.
“We see that he only takes action when discussion is no longer possible,” she said. “Even if it is slower than hoped, even if we do not see significant progress, we are still able to discuss.”