Quebec and FIQ nurses’ union sign new collective agreement

The FIQ, Quebec’s largest nurses’ union, finally signed its new collective agreement with the Legault government – ending the long negotiations.

The new deal comes into effect on Dec.15. The previous agreement expired on March 31, 2023 – therefore the new five-year agreement will expire in 2028.

The negotiated salary increases will therefore be retroactive to April 1, 2023.

Before reaching this stage of officially signing the text of a collective agreement, the parties must exchange documents to agree on the exact wording of the clauses that had been agreed at the negotiating tables. This is meticulous work, as imprecise wording can lead to differences of interpretation, and therefore to grievances.

“We are delighted to have finally reached the milestone of signing the collective agreement, which is the culmination of almost two years of painstaking negotiation,” reacted Julie Bouchard, President of the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé (FIQ).

“The employer now has an obligation to implement the new measures negotiated as soon as possible. The FIQ, for its part, is staying the course on the rapid deployment of the collective agreement, as well as on the need for stability in the public health network,” added the union leader.

Treasury Board President Sonia LeBel said she was happy to hear the news.

“I am very pleased that the collective agreement that gives us more effective means to provide quality care to Quebecers has now been signed.”

The Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé (FIQ) has 80,000 members: nurses, nursing assistants, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists. It represents most nurses in all healthcare establishments in Quebec.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews