Common Front rejects government’s latest offer

Quebec’s Common Front of public sector unions rejected the government’s latest offer.

Which means the strike planned for December 8th to 14th will go ahead.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Legault government said it would raise wage parameters for public sector workers by 12.7 per cent over five years, and the overall offer by 16.7 per cent.

Treasury Board president Sonia Lebel wrote on social media right after the offer was made; “We are determined to settle quickly and invite the unions to move forward with us. Now the work must continue at the tables.”

The 420,000-member Common Front didn’t hesitate to express its dissatisfaction with the new proposal – writing on Facebook: With current inflation forecasts of 18.1 per cent for this same period – this offer will still impoverish public sector workers.”

Health-care union the FIQ, which represents 80,000 nurses, nursing assistants, and other care professionals, is scheduled to hold further strike days from December 11 to 14.