Highlights of this INFO NEGO:
Our essential services proposals tabled with Quebec’s labour tribunal
Our counterparts then claimed they want to reach an agreement by the Holidays!
Then they tabled offers very far from an agreement
Union response with a “cards on the table” offer setting out guideposts as to what could lead to an agreement
Responses expected on December 19, but the process of determining essential services continues regardless
Our essential services proposals tabled with Quebec’s labour tribunal
As we told you on November 21, 2024, since the negotiations were headed for deadlock and in view of the total lack of consideration exhibited by the government party at the negotiating table, we tabled with the employers our proposals for essential services to be maintained in the event of a strike. Since the establishments concerned appear to have agreed among themselves not to respond to our proposals, we submitted them on November 29, 2024 to Quebec’s labour tribunal (Tribunal administratif du travail, or TAT). The TAT then ordered the employers to respond by December 23, 2024.
Our counterparts then claimed they want to reach an agreement by the Holidays!
At the following bargaining session, the government party announced that they wished to wrap up the negotiations by the Holidays, and their representatives even proposed adding new bargaining sessions in December to achieve that—to which of course we agreed. They had even said at that time that they would be tabling a new comprehensive offer for December 11. We were somewhat skeptical, in view of recent experience, but we were nonetheless delighted at such an about-turn from our opposite numbers.
A new comprehensive offer very far from a possible agreement
Our delight was short-lived: when we reviewed their new offers on December 11, it was very clear that they were merely proposing, yet again, salary offers lower than those agreed upon with our health sector colleagues, whereas our collective agreement explicitly stipulates that we are entitled to at least the same salary increase parameters as other health professionals. They also maintained their demand to significantly increase the portion of tuition fees to be paid by our members and their demands to limit how we take our time off, while proposing no serious workload-related measures, including our key demand for an optional day of rest after a certain number of consecutive days of work. Absolutely nothing, then, that could lead to an agreement in principle by the Holidays.
Our response of December 12: a “cards on the table” offer setting out guideposts as to what could more seriously lead the parties to an agreement
Rather than merely noting how very far apart the parties’ demands are, we decided on December 12 to restate clearly to the government party what our negotiating priorities were, and to outline our view of the parameters conducive to reaching an agreement. We also gave them a status report on the work conditions of resident doctors in Ontario and the other provinces, to remind them that our members are not only the least well paid healthcare employees in Quebec, calculated on an hourly basis, but they are also the least well paid resident physicians in Canada.
Responses expected on December 19, but the process of determining essential services continues
Our counterparts said they wanted to get back to us this coming December 19. At that time, we will see how serious they are in their expressed desire to reach an agreement. Regardless, the process of determining essential services in the event of a strike will continue until mid-January, at which point we can be fully prepared should the negotiations hit another brick wall.
In the meantime, keep on completing the forms for compiling hours worked, in large numbers. So far, close to 1,500 members have done so! We will update you on developments following the December 19 session.
Stay tuned to your negotiations
Your Negotiating Committee | 
