While the round of bargaining with the Conseil du trésor and various employer committees has practically come to a standstill, all CSN public-sector unions met virtually last week on January 28 and 29, to go over the progress of discussions, both at the central table and at sectoral tables. Together, the unions that are part of the Fédération des employées et employés de services publics (FEESP–CSN), the Fédération nationale des enseignantes et des enseignants du Québec (FNEEQ–CSN), the Fédération des professionnèles (FP–CSN), and the Fédération de la santé et des services sociaux (FSSS–CSN) used the opportunity to hold important discussions about the methods to take to put an end to the government’s disregard for public-service workers. 

Yes, this is a case of the government disregarding us, as well as being irresponsible. Although we have been supporting Quebec even more than usual over the past year, and despite a crisis that existed in our networks well before the pandemic, the CAQ government still refuses to give its spokespeople mandates that would allow for making progress in relation to the round of bargaining. Instead of seeing the round of bargaining as an opportunity to heal the deep wounds caused by their predecessors, Mr. Legault and his responsible ministers are turning a deaf ear to our demands. They seem to think that their thank-yous are enough and that we should be content with the unacceptable offers they are bringing to the table.

The unions, together, found that what the government is proposing is clearly insufficient. There needs to be significantly more investments to meet the critical needs of the networks, which have without a doubt kept Quebec afloat in the past few months. It is abundantly clear that a strong public sector is needed for genuine recovery to occur for Quebec. The challenges that we will be facing in the coming years are greater than ever before, and Quebecers deserve quality public services that are able to meet their needs during this difficult period of rebuilding. The government can no longer deny that significant improvements to our working conditions and wages are needed to curb the exodus of public-sector workers. It must put its money where its mouth is—the myriad of thank-yous provided over the past year must now give way to concrete action.

What are the next steps?

We have no choice; we need to make our voices heard. We need to bring our 160,000 voices together and act so that the government understands that its stubbornness makes no sense.

Over the next few weeks, we—all of the members of CSN public-sector unions—will be called on to discuss, at general assemblies, intensifying our pressure tactics, while taking the health situation into account, and planning a strike to be carried out at an appropriate time. These are essential discussions that must be held with all workers.

Let’s all keep an eye out for notices of meeting from our unions and take part in large numbers in these important general assemblies.

 

UNITE. ORGANIZE. WIN.