The Common Front, a coalition of unions representing approximately 420,000 public sector workers in Quebec, has successfully reached a proposed agreement in principle with the government. Comprising the CSQ, CSN, APTS, and FTQ, the group announced the breakthrough on Thursday afternoon, following 11 days of strikes and extensive negotiation sessions.
The proposed agreement, centered on the renewal of public sector collective agreements concerning wages and benefits, arrived at the central table. This development follows the French teachers’ union, the FAE, securing a proposed deal late on Wednesday. The Common Front’s objectives, particularly regarding wages, were anchored in safeguarding their workforce of 420,000 against inflation and achieving a general wage catch-up for all workers.
A joint statement from the leaders of CSN, CSQ, FTQ, and APTS emphasized the commitment to these principles throughout the negotiation process, stating, “And this is what has guided us throughout this negotiating blitz to reach a proposed agreement. We now want to present it to our respective authorities first.”
The next steps involve union leaders meeting with their members to outline the content of the proposed agreements. Subsequently, members will vote to ratify or reject the agreement. The unions’ leaders clarified that the negotiation round will be officially concluded when working conditions, practice conditions, and salary conditions are deemed satisfactory.
The Common Front represents public workers across various sectors, including education, health, social services, and higher education.
#négo2023 À suivre! De retour bientôt! pic.twitter.com/P7W7IT0sCg
— Gingras, Éric (@EricGingras128) December 28, 2023
The announcement by the Common Front of unions in Quebec on Thursday signifies a significant breakthrough in the intense negotiations, potentially averting the looming threat of an unlimited strike in early January, as previously declared earlier this month.
Sonia LeBel, President of the Treasury Board, took to social media on Thursday to share that the terms of the proposed deal will be kept confidential until union members have the opportunity to vote on it.
While the Common Front moves towards a resolution, the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ) continues its individual negotiations with the government, facing ongoing pressure. On Thursday, the FIQ disclosed that it had submitted a new proposal to the employer and is currently “awaiting a response.” The FIQ represents 80,000 nurses, nursing assistants, and other healthcare professionals, and the update was posted on its Facebook page.
To facilitate the negotiation process, the Ministry of Labour appointed a conciliator at the FIQ’s request, aiming to bring the two parties closer to a mutually acceptable deal. The developments in these negotiations will play a crucial role in shaping the labor landscape in Quebec’s public sector in the coming days.