Meeting in a Special Federal Council on October 10 and 11, 2023, the union representatives have reached another important milestone in the ongoing negotiations. The Negotiating Committee presented the FIQ’s prioritized demands, which were submitted to the employer party on October 9. Though choices have been made, the essential demands remain the same: better salary, improved workload and better personal life-work balance. The adjusted demands can be viewed here.

At this stage, this prioritization exercise, will establish the demands that the nurses, licensed practical nurses, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists will be ready to fight for, up to and including a strike. Remember, a strike is the ultimate means of supporting your Negotiating Committee while they are pursuing discussions at the bargaining table.

If, today, a strike seems inevitable, this is because the government’s offers are truly unacceptable. Your working conditions are already unacceptable, and now the government is adding insult to injury by making offers that will make them even worse. In addition, they refuse to listen to what healthcare professionals have to propose.

Your mobilization is therefore essential for getting them to see reason. It’s a question of your working conditions. If you would like to know more about the reasons why a strike is inevitable, or what a typical day of strike is like, go to our Why go on strike?

You can vote on this question on October 24 and 25, 2023. The referendum vote will take place electronically. If you have any questions on how the vote will function, don’t hesitate to go to our How do you vote?  Now, more than ever, is the time to make your voice heard.

Your local team will be holding general assemblies over the next few weeks to inform you of the progress in the negotiations and to address the issue of a strike, its conditions and the process for the referendum vote. It’s important to participate if you have questions about a strike, if you want to closely follow the situation or if you want to get your head around it!

Your representatives in action

Photograph : Alexandre Claude