January 1, 2007

Having joined the Secrétariat intersyndical des services publics (SISP) in June 2006, the FIQ is proud to take part in the consultative and mobilizing tour on the future of Quebec public services. Under the theme Public Services, the best of ourselves!, this tour will take place in the context of the impending Quebec elections.

The four union organizations which make up the SISP, namely the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ), the Syndicat de la fonction publique du Québec (SFPQ), the Syndicat de professionnelles et professionnels du gouvernement du Québec (SPGQ) and the FIQ, uphold that public services must continue to play a front-line role in the development and maintenance of the quality of life of the Quebec population. Thus, they have adopted a political platform that will be presented to their members and to the general public in the context of this speaking tour of twelve Quebec cities which will be held from January 30 to April 4, 2007.

Twelve regional assemblies will be proposed to members in order that they may give their views on the Quebec-wide platform. By pooling comments and viewpoints, the union organizations will then be able to present regional demands  to the political parties and to the candidates in the next election campaign, and clearly make known to the government the population’s expectations and priorities. Thus, your presence at these meetings is crucial; your opinion counts since it will help discussions to progress. Representatives of political parties will have to take a stand on their ability to respond to population’s priorities or demands if they are elected.

We must remember that, since it has come to power, the Charest government has ceaselessly attacked workers and the labour movement. With a view to developing privatization, contracting out and reducing the size of the State, the Liberal Party is intent on dismantling the assets of Quebec society. However, it will not stop the unions of the public and parapublic sector from being vigilant.

Moreover, many organizations have demanded that Bill 142 be repealed. Adopted under a gag order in December 2005, this Bill ended negotiations abruptly by passing a decree which sets the working conditions of government employees until 2010. The negative effects of this Bill go way beyond the violation of the rights of unionized workers: the future of public services and consequently the quality of life of Quebec citizens are under attack.

This is why we must launch a public debate to demand the adoption of public policies and initiatives designed to maintain and develop the accessibility, free-of-charge nature and quality of public services to the population in all regions of Quebec.

In Solidarity ,