More strike dates announced for Quebec healthcare professionals part of FIQ union

For the third time in a few weeks, the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec, known as the FIQ, will go on strike. This time it be longer than their previous 48-hour strikes and will take place on Dec. 11, 12, 13 and 14.

The FIQ represents more than 80,000 members including nurses, practical nurses, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists working in health establishments across Quebec – 90 per cent of them are women.

“The mobilization of healthcare professionals is impressive,” said Julie Bouchard, president of the FIQ, in a press release Wednesday. “Nurses, practical nurses, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists are determined to improve their working conditions and the conditions of care for the Quebec population. The citizens of Quebec have understood this well, unlike the government.”

The FIQ’s main demands include: substantial salary increases, better working conditions, a reasonable workload and a law governing healthcare professional/patient ratios.

The FIQ says that over the past few days, their negotiating committee has noticed an intensification of discussions with the aim of reaching an agreement in principle negotiated before the end of the year. 

They say, however, although the tone has changed, no concrete gains have been made yet.

Last Thursday, on the day that over half a million Quebecers were on strike, Premier François Legault said: “We are ready to improve our offer which currently shows an increase of 14.8 per cent. But I insist, it is not true that we are going to miss another negotiation to find the flexibility that is necessary to provide more effective services to Quebecers.”

“Clearly, our strike days have produced results and the government is finally starting to be open to listening to our solutions,” said Bouchard. “So now is not the time to let go of the pressure, rather, it’s time to maintain it.”

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