Here are the latest developments in the negotiations
THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL HAS CONFIRMED OUR RIGHT TO STRIKE
WITH ONLY 25% OF RESIDENT DOCTORS ASSIGNED TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES
Quebec’s labour tribunal (Tribunal administratif du travail, or TAT) has confirmed that 75% of resident doctors may exercise the right to strike at a date to be agreed upon for the 1st strike day, with 25% of regular service and call duty shifts being guaranteed, while 50% of regular service will be ensured for the 2nd and 3rd strike days.
THE GOVERNMENT CAN STILL MAKE OFFERS
LEADING TO AN AGREEMENT NEXT WEEK
The government seems to have reacted positively to the TAT’s rulings on essential services, and constructive discussions took place on February 12 in Quebec City. But the fact remains that no formal commitment has yet been presented at the negotiating table, and the most important issues have yet to be resolved, including:
- Refusal of our demand for optional rest after 7 straight days of work;
- Refusal to offer us the significant pay increases that were awarded to the rest of the public sector;
- The government’s demand to limit how we take our annual vacation, study leave, and conference leave;
- The government’s demand to hike our contribution to tuition fees;
- The government’s wish to terminate the local practices and arrangements currently in effect for nighttime and call-duty meals.
STRIKE PREPARATIONS ARE UNDER WAY
The Federation is preparing the logistics of the strike exercise while continuing the negotiations, with the Association presidents, as long as there is any chance of moving forward between now and February 22.
So unless there is a breakthrough by next week in negotiations on the issues currently still unresolved, the strike plan will be submitted to the Delegates’ Assembly meeting on February 22. General meetings will then be called for all members at which all questions will be answered, an update on the deadlocked negotiations will be provided, and the logistics planned for a strike will be presented.
Until February 22, 2025, then, let’s keep on demanding respect for ourselves as resident doctors, through serious offers formally tabled at the negotiating table.
Your Negotiating Committee | 
