Quebec common front rejects government offer, strike still looming
Union heads say they’re nonetheless ready to strike after rejecting Quebec’s most up-to-date contract provide.
Three Quebec public sector union federations representing round 430,000 employees have joined collectively in a typical entrance throughout labour negotiations. Their members voted in favour of a one-day strike on Nov. 6, which might result in extra motion later.
Sonia LeBel, the chair of Quebec’s Treasury Board, stated in a news launch earlier within the day that the federal government is providing wage will increase of 14.8 per cent over 5 years.
She says she hopes to achieve a deal earlier than the top of the 12 months, however the unions’ response suggests they will not until the federal government is ready to supply extra.
Francois Enault, first vice-president of the Confederation des syndicats nationaux, says the provide is 11 per cent decrease than what the province provided the Surete du Quebec — a proposal which was in the end rejected.
It’s additionally decrease than the 30 per cent enhance members of the province’s legislature voted to grant themselves earlier this 12 months.
WHAT DID QUEBEC OFFER?
That 14.8 per cent enhance is cut up into base wage will increase, bonuses and incentives.
LeBel provided a base wage enhance of 10.3 per cent, up from the province’s earlier provide of 9 per cent.
An further three per cent was additionally provided “to respond to work organization challenges.” The authorities says that additional leeway might incentivize hiring in secondary college and evening-shift protection in health-care centres, for instance.
The authorities additionally provided a lump sum of $1,000 for all staff inside the first 12 months of the brand new collective settlement, similar to a 1.5 per cent wage bump. New hires and employees incomes lower than $52,000 yearly would additionally get a one per cent bonus.
FILE: Sonia Lebel is Quebec’s Treasury Board president. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
‘RESPONSIBILITY’ FOR EACH TAX DOLLAR: LEBEL
In her news launch, Lebel known as the proposal “significant.” Earlier within the week, she and the premier had spoken publicly about elevating their provide on Sunday, and union leaders had responded through the media with cautious optimism.
“We must not forget that this negotiation must lead to gains for both sides,” wrote LeBel on Sunday within the news launch, which was printed in French.
“Yes, we need to pay public employees better, but I also have the responsibility to ensure each dollar from taxpayers’ pockets is maximized.”
— Published with reporting from The Canadian Press
