Quebec public sector negotiations: Deal still possible, unlimited strike in January could happen, says union

“A deal is still possible” – that was the message from the four union groups of the Common Front on Wednesday morning as they held a press conference in Quebec City, saying negotiations remain deadlocked. But an unlimited general strike is still on the table for January. Which would mean 420,000 public sector workers would hit the picket lines.

“Winter 2024 will be pretty hard for the Premier,” said François Enault, the first vice president of the CSN. “The 11 strike days that we did…we didn’t want to take the population hostage. We wanted to do things right, but it seems the government wants to bring us to an unlimited strike. If that’s what they want, that’s what they are going to get – but that’s not what we want.”

The four union groups of the Common Front met Tuesday to discuss the progress of collective bargaining and decide on the next steps in strike action. The CSN, CSQ, APTS, and FTQ coming together on Wednesday morning.

The Common Front already has a mandate at 95 per cent approval for an unlimited general strike, but they did not announce any specific dates to initiate that option.

“We will be there to negotiate, no matter the time during the holidays. We have to find a solution and our people are determined to go on an unlimited strike at the beginning of 2024,” Robert Comeau president, APTS.

The unions saying they want a serious and intense negotiation, that what the government is presenting isn’t serious at all. Teachers’ unions calling the government’s latest offer a “sideshow.”

“The message was clear from our four unions, we don’t want to be brought to our knees…we will not accept conditions that will not make things better for everyone,” said Magali Picard, president of the FTQ.

“It takes serious negotiations and that’s what we’re asking the Treasury Board and the Legault government – come to the table, come in solution and transaction mode so we can come to an agreement and end negotiations as soon as possible.” ended Picard.

The Common Front held seven days of strikes from Dec. 8 to Dec. 14 – the biggest in it’s history. Other dates were also held in November – 11 strike days in all so far.

FAE unlimited general strike continues

The Fédération autonome de l’enseignement (FAE), meanwhile, is on day 20 of its unlimited strike for their 66,000 members. One of its bodies must still analyze the latest offer presented by Quebec on Tuesday – an offer that was already described as a “smoke show” on Tuesday evening by the largest teachers’ union federation, the FSE, affiliated to the CSQ.

Meanwhile, the major nurses’ union, the Fédération Interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ),will now have a conciliator – which they requested on Tuesday. They felt that their negotiations were stalling after 75 sessions.

FIQ represents 80,000 nurses, nursing assistants, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists – and they hope to break the deadlock in negotiations with Quebec.

Premier Legault has said that it’s been tougher to negotiate the FIQ contract.

They believe the appointment of a conciliator could “help progress towards an agreement.”

Adding that they are ready to negotiate over the holidays to get a deal done.

-With files from The Canadian Press