Brief history of the FIQ

2023

Launch of the “There’s a limit” campaign
Participation in the parliamentary committee on Bill 10: An Act limiting the use of personnel placement agencies’ services and independent labour in the health and social services sector, a bill that the FIQ had demanded
Participation in the parliamentary committee on Bill 15: Act to make the health and social services system more effective
Denunciation of the CEOs’, managers’ and government’s lack of preparation for the summer season in the health network
Affiliation of FIQ unions | Private sector at the FIQ, which now has 80,000 members
Healthcare professionals stage major demonstration in Sherbrooke to denounce the government’s insufficient offers
Significant gains for healthcare professionals working in Nunavik

2022

FIQ’s 35th anniversary
Launch of the new visual identity “United. Determined. Mobilized in health care.”
Major mobilization among healthcare professionals to demand what they are owed from the government, which is late in paying them various premiums
Complaint filed with the International Labour Office (ILO) to put an end to the use of mandatory overtime (MOT)
Plea launched for a law on safe healthcare ratios in Quebec
Signature of a union solidarity protocol between the FIQ, FIQP, CSN, CSQ and FTQ, as well as a non-raiding pact
Decision by the Administrative Labour Tribunal (TAT) ruling in favour of the FIQ and FIQP. It recognized that the government negotiated in bad faith and obstructed union activities by announcing premiums of $12,000 to $18,000 after signing the tentative agreement
The FIQ organized an election debate on health care featuring candidates from the main political parties running in the Quebec elections
Union demands submitted to the Secretariat of the Treasury Board as part of negotiations to renew the collective agreement for healthcare professionals

2021

Historical demands regarding Bill 59 to modernize the occupational health and safety regime
Access to N95 masks for healthcare professionals working in COVID-19 red zones following a long battle fought by the FIQ and FIQP
Participation in the commemoration of COVID-19 victims on March 11
Big victory for the FIQ and FIQP in obtaining recognition of the airborne transmission of COVID-19
Obtained new leverage for governing independent labour
Ad campaign “Paid a woman’s wage” in alliance with the APTS and a major demonstration in Montreal to denounce pay discrimination
Global agreement with the Quebec government to renew the provincial collective agreement
Mobilization to protest mandatory overtime, which forces healthcare professionals to stay at work
Launch of campaign, “MOT is a death sentence for healthcare professions”
Adoption of Joyce’s Principle, which aims to guarantee Indigenous Peoples the right of equitable access, without any discrimination, to all social and health services
Creation of a new Communications Committee
Nathalie Levesque, Vice-President on the Executive Committee, was the interim president from October to December

2020

COVID-19 pandemic: actions to denounce the working conditions imposed on healthcare professionals, the lack of personal protective equipment, the abusive application of Ministerial Order 007, the absence of additional compensation and specific measures, and the “Je dénonce” and “Les VériFIQatrices” initiatives
Launch of the campaigns “Let’s end the inhumane” and “The healthcare system is failing. We are the solution.”
Demonstration to pressure the government to tackle the health network’s core problems
Day of mobilization to roll out safe healthcare professional-to-patient ratios in Quebec CHSLDs with the slogan “Ratios for humane care”

2019

April 8 is the first provincial day without mandatory overtime (MOT) for all Quebec healthcare professionals
A union solidarity protocol is signed between the FIQ, APTS, CSN, FTQ and CSQ, as well as a non-raiding pact
Alliance forged with the Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des service sociaux (APTS) for intersectoral negotiations
Signing of several local collective agreements
Launch of the “A strong voice in health care” campaign
First Organization of Work and Professional Practice Network (OWPP)
Sectoral and intersectoral demands submitted with a view to renewing the provincial collective agreement with the “We’re done working ourselves sick!” slogan
24 hours without mandatory overtime (MOT) in the defense of safe, quality care

2018

Launch of two ads that use humour to illustrate why healthcare professional-to-patient ratios are needed in the health network
The FIQ’s historical victory, alongside other labour organizations, of getting the Supreme Court to strike down amendments to the Pay Equity Act
Tabling of a brief on Bill No. 167, An Act to constitute the Société québécoise du cannabis, to enact the Cannabis Regulation Act and to amend various highway safety-related provisions
Meeting with Health Minister Gaétan Barrette concerning the crisis over healthcare professionals’ working conditions
Agreement with the MSSS to implement 17 healthcare professional-to-patient ratio pilot projects in Quebec
Extensive local negotiations following the institution mergers brought about by the Liberal government’s Bill 10
Several new local collective agreements came into force for healthcare professionals in CISSSs and CIUSSSs
Tabling of a brief on Bill No. 176, An Act to amend the Act respecting labour standards and other legislative provisions mainly to facilitate family-work balance
Member-wide consultation on the group insurance plan
Adoption of the Policy on the Fair Representation of Women in Positions of Power and Decision-Making
FIQ presidential province-wide tour
Distribution of the Electoral Tool Kit in view of the provincial elections
FIQ hosts an election healthcare debate featuring candidates from the four main political parties running in the Quebec elections
The FIQP gained two new institutions as well as new members. It represents over 1,600 members

2017

The FIQ’s 30^th anniversary
Period of union allegiance votes: the FIQ came out on top and now represents 75,000 members
Launch of the Montréal Nord neighbourhood clinic
Tabling of a brief on Bill No. 115, An Act to combat maltreatment of seniors and other persons of full age in vulnerable situations
Participation in the Intersyndicale des femmes’ 40^th anniversary
Review of small homes for seniors pilot project in Lanaudière Nord
11^th Convention: “Providing care: a collaborative affair”
Election of Nancy Bédard as the FIQ president
Election of the first FIQP | Secteur privé Executive Committee, with President Sonia Mancier
Launch of the Black Book of Care Safety to demand safe healthcare professional-to-patient ratios in Quebec

2016

Tabling of a memorandum at the Commissaire à la santé et au bien-être as part of the public consultations on the range of insured services
Tabling of a brief on Bill No. 87, An Act to facilitate the disclosure of wrongdoings relating to public bodies
Participation in the mass movement to save the nurses’ clinic in the Coopérative de solidarité SABSA
Tabling of a brief on Bill No. 92, intended to increase the RAMQ’s powers
Signing of the provincial collective agreement
Launch of the Safe Staffing Form
Launch of the accredited training program Patient Advocacy 2, offered free to members
International Symposium on Safe Health Care

2015

The FIQ represents over 66,000 members
Bill 10 comes into force
Major provincial mobilization to denounce the Liberal government’s austerity measures affecting the quality and safety of care
Tabling of a brief on Bill 20, An Act to enact the Act to promote access to family medicine and specialized medicine services and to amend various legislative provisions relating to assisted procreation
Launch of the first accredited training course on advocating for patient rights and interests (offered free to members)
Distribution of lab coats with the FIQ logo as part of the campaign to recognize and appreciate healthcare professionals
Denunciation of Bill 42 establishing the Administrative Labour Tribunal, putting workers’ rights in peril and threatening women’s rights
Unanimous rejection of the government’s contemptuous offers in negotiations and actions throughout Quebec
Contribution to opening a second neighbourhood clinic in Quebec
Participation in celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the Bread and Roses March
Launch of the 1-844-FIQ- AIDE helpline for reporting unacceptable situations encountered in the health network
First Network of OHS Union Representatives held as a pilot project
Tentative agreement with the government on intersectoral and sectoral matters

2014

Superior Court strikes down the 2009 amendments to the Pay Equity Act, which the FIQ had denounced. The government appealed the decision
Launch of the publication FIQ Special Report: Licensed Practical Nurse – A key professional on the care team as part of the licensed practical nurses ad hoc committee work to further promote their profession
Campaign “Care on a human scale”
Agreement reached with the government regarding clinical perfusionists’ compensation
10^th Convention: “Vision. Progress. Action. Think outside the box.”
Alliance with the Fédération autonome de l’enseignement (FAE) for the next intersectoral negotiations
Launch of the FIQ’s first neighbourhood clinic pilot project intended to offer the population front-line services from healthcare professionals
Demands that the government make it mandatory for healthcare institutions to adopt collective prescriptions
Period of changing union allegiance: the FIQ now represents nearly 65,000 members
Sectoral and intersectoral demands submitted for negotiations
Launch of broad ad campaign to promote healthcare professionals: “That’s enough. Caring for patients comes first.”
Denunciation of Bill No. 10 on modifying the organization of the health network and its impacts on care quality and working conditions
Tabling of a brief on Bill No. 15, an Act respecting workforce management and control within government departments, public sector bodies and networks and state-owned enterprises

2013

Launch of a TV and radio campaign to promote the FIQ
Denunciation of the optimization projects in home care and computerization in health care
Meeting with the Collectif 8 mars and the Quebec premier to discuss the progress of women’s right to equality and to voice demands
Actions to denounce poor management and the waste of public funds in the public health network
Defense of nurses’ experience and expertise and the FIQ proposes an integrated Quebec model to remedy dead ends created by the OIIQ model regarding nurses’ initial training
Creation of a licensed practical nurses ad hoc committee to find solutions to address their concerns
Representations to protect healthcare professionals’ jobs from the governmental project for an autonomy insurance plan
Support for the social contract for better quality of life for seniors launched by the FADOQ Network
Support for the Regroupement Les Sages-femmes du Québec for fair recognition of their profession
Arbitration decision confirming the right of nurses working in CHSLDs to be paid overtime when they have to remain at work during mealtimes

2012

The FIQ’s 25^th anniversary
Publication of comments on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union
Support for the student movement against the tuition increase
Participation in the actions of the Coalition opposée à la tarification et à la privatisation des services publics
Participation in the actions of the Réseau québécois sur l’intégration continentale (RQIC)
Work begins on reviewing initial training for nurses, licensed practical nurses, and respiratory therapists
Follow-up on the implementation of the Lean Approach in Quebec healthcare institutions
Denunciation of Bill 78, which the Liberal government passed under closure, and participation in the major march on May 22 protesting the law
Bill 78 is challenged in the Superior Court by student, union (including the FIQ), community and environmental organizations
Submission of comments on the Regulation respecting the practice of the profession of respiratory therapist in a partnership or joint-stock company
Denunciation of tabling of motion 312 on the legal status of foetuses in partnership with the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec, the Association des obstétriciens et gynécologues du Québec, and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
Denunciation of Bill C-377 that would force labour organizations to disclose information that could undermine their bargaining power

2011

The first collective agreement for healthcare professionals comes into force after over a year of negotiations
Tabling of a brief on Bill No. 127, intended to improve management of the health and social services network
9^th Convention: “Dare, Act, Influence, the power to change is within us”
Shift toward a proactive union approach
Renegotiation of the local component of the collective agreement for certain institutions after signing the provincial collective agreement
Tabling of a brief on Bill No. 16, intended to tighten up the certification process for residences for the elderly
Support for the program “Aging Gayfully” and help unveiling the Charter for the fair treatment of LGBT seniors
First victory for the FIQ in its efforts to legally counter the use of private healthcare employment agencies: the CRT sided with Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont’s motion 39

2010

Participation in the World March of Women’s provincial rally in Rimouski on October 17
Government shows contempt for healthcare professionals during negotiations
Support from the Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec and the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec for the FIQ’s solutions
Several events are organized throughout Quebec to mark the expiration of the decrees on March 31 that determined government employees’ working conditions
Ad campaign to denounce the massive contracting of private healthcare employment agencies
Camp-out in front of the National Assembly for 78 consecutive hours with the aim of getting a negotiated agreement
Tentative agreement reached between the Common Front and the government on June 25 regarding the four intersectoral matters
Negotiations continue over healthcare professionals’ working conditions (sectoral matters), which still are not settled

2009

Development of an organization of work action plan to enable unions to effectively intervene in their workplace
SISP tables a motion to quash the Regulation respecting the specialized medical treatments provided in a specialized medical centre in the Superior Court so as to make it illegal
A Common Front is formed – SISP, CSN, FTQ – to negotiate salaries, parental rights, regional disparities and retirement, and an operating protocol and non-raiding pact are signed
Negotiation priorities are adopted for healthcare professionals’ collective agreement project
Election of Régine Laurent as the FIQ president
First healthcare professional Youth Network

2008

8^th Convention: “Renewing our action together”
Commitment to social movement unionism
Discussions around the possibility of setting up a bargaining table for the SISP member labour organizations
Inauguration of the new FIQ head office on Papineau Avenue in Montreal on August 22: the Federation is the owner of the land and building
Signing of a protocol of union solidarity between the SISP member organizations in light of the coming negotiations with the government, including a non-raiding pact

2007

The FIQ’s 20^th anniversary
Verdict from the International Labour Organization (ILO): the passing of a law imposing working conditions violates unions’ fundamental right to collective bargaining
Continuation of local negotiations and actions to denounce employers who refuse to negotiate in good faith
Participation in the first Forum Social Québécois
Agreement with the government on the evaluation of the nurse clinician position
Superior Court renders a decision: Bill 30 declared unconstitutional, but the government appeals the decision

2006

Number of members increases to 56,500
Public and member awareness raised around the impacts of the neoliberal government
Call for mobilization and solidarity
On May 14, a decree in lieu of a collective agreement becomes law
For the first time, the same work contract applies to nurses, licensed practical nurses, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists
Local negotiation process begins as imposed by Bill 30
Intersyndicale équité settles the pay equity case on June 20
Affiliation to the Secrétariat intersyndical des services publics (SISP) which strives to protect and promote public services
Adoption of the new name for the Fédération des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (FIIQ) on December 1: Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec–FIQ

2005

10,000 new members after the union allegiance votes: the FIIQ represents the majority of healthcare professionals
7^th Convention: “Building the future together”
Changes at all levels of the organization to reflect the new membership
Denunciation of the Chaoulli Supreme Court decision, which opened the door to some privatization in the healthcare system
Election of Lina Bonamie as the FIIQ president
Charest government imposed, again under closure, a decree on salaries and working conditions for public sector workers until 2010
Negotiation of agreements on several subjects despite a difficult context

2004

Bill 25, 30 and 31 come into force
Opposition movement to the Charest government
Launch of the campaign “United against the liquidation of public services” (unofficial translation)
Participation in the resistance movement Réseau de Vigilance
Creation of new local health and social services networks
Impacts of Bill 30: Union certification mergers, and modification of the negotiation system due to the decentralization of the 26 matters to the local level
Composition of unions representing nurses, licensed practical nurses, respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists, extra-corporeal circulation technicians and child/baby nurses
Discussions with the independent unions of licensed practical nurses (APIIAQ and FIIAQ) and respiratory therapists (APIQ) to create the FIIQ+, healthcare professionals’ true powerhouse
First wave of union allegiance votes: the vast majority of healthcare professionals choose the FIIQ to represent them
Tabling of a brief recommending the full withdrawal of Bill No. 61 for the creation of the Agence des partenariats public-privé du Québec

2003

Participation in the Collectif Échec à la guerre
Intersyndicale proposes a province-wide pay equity action plan to get a quick settlement
Adoption of the FIIQ TOMORROW action plan aimed at achieving greater leadership in Quebec’s labour and social scenes
Adoption of a draft collective agreement
Bill 90, an Act to amend the Professional Code, comes into force
The Charest government passes Bills 25, 30 and 31 under closure

2002

In a difficult context, reflection on beginning a collective approach to tackle current and future challenges
Launch of a major strategy to fight workplace violence: “To work in dignity, taking action”
Adoption of decision-making, information, and support structures, as well as negotiation priorities
Fast progress for work on pay equity and workforce planning
Creation of the Youth Committee

2001

Participation in the People’s Summit, an opposition movement to the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA)
6^th Convention: “Solid in solidarity”
Rejection of an affiliation with the FTQ proposed by the FIIQ’s Executive Committee
Participation in the Québec Forum on Nursing Workforce Planning and adoption of an action plan
Several unions apply corrective measures to address work overloads
Inter-union negotiation with the Treasury Board to obtain a true pay equity program

2000

Participation in the World March of Women on March 8
Global agreement between the government and nurses
Significant gains in recognizing the value of nurses’ work and improving working conditions
Nurses share the double penalties and salary loss from exercising their right to strike
Serious nurse shortage in Quebec
Public intervention at the Clair Commission hearings to defend the gains of a public, accessible and universal health system

1999

Negotiation of all nurses’ working conditions for the first time in ten years
23-day general strike
Rejection of a draft tentative agreement by the members
Beginning of a mediation process
Bouchard government doled out reprimands and excessive fines to nurses
Negotiation of a partial settlement on the salaries and pension plan without reaching a tentative agreement

1998

5^th Convention: “Imagine the power of our collective values.”
Concerns over neoliberalism and globalization
Mobilization and pressure tactics to address nurses’ work problem
Conseil des services essentiels (Essential Services Council) imposes an accelerated process for the resolution of nurses’ workload problems
Numerous administrative mergers in the healthcare network
Creation of terms “health centres” and “multivocational institutions”

1997

The FIIQ’s 10^th anniversary
Government’s voluntary retirement program: early retirement of more than 3,600 FIIQ nurses
Organization of work training in nearly 350 institutions
Number of members increases to 47,500

1996

4^th Convention: “Many shifts and turns, one direction”
Consolidation of the role and place of nurses at the heart of the network
Concerns over professional deregulation and the delegation of acts

1995

Participation in the women’s Bread and Roses March to fight against poverty
Complete restructuring of the healthcare network
Action strategy to protect and broaden nurses’ scope of practice
Collective agreement signed for the first time since 1989

1994

Ad campaign “La santé, trop précieuse pour la jouer!”
Creation of the Action-Santé Committee mandated to investigate the impacts of budget cuts and fiscal recovery

1993

Positions taken on the electoral reform, public finances, and alternative therapies
Information campaign among the population in light of the next round of negotiations
Government passes Bill 102 imposing working conditions on all public and parapublic sector workers
Special convention on the FIIQ constitution and bylaws and the Union Defence Fund bylaws
3^rd Convention: “Taking part in change”
Election of Jennie Skene as the FIIQ president

1992

Largest demonstration in 20 years with 6,000 public, parapublic and private sector unionized workers: maintenance of the stipulated salary increases despite the extension of the collective agreement
Founding of the Regroupement des infirmières et infirmiers retraitées with the FIIQ’s support
Implementation of a policy against sexual and racial harassment

1991

Strengthening of international solidarity by advocating for the liberation of a Chilean nurse
Extension of the collective agreement
Recovery of the seniority lost when Bill 160 was applied
2^nd Convention: “Nos choix, de nouveaux défis”
Broadening the field of FIIQ intervention to include fighting to reduce poverty and violence against women and to protect the environment
Position taken in favour of provincial sovereignty

1990

1^st Convention: “La santé, notre quotidien, notre avenir”
Actions to counter Bill 160 and mechanisms to share the fines
Activities continue despite suspension of the Rand Formula
College education recommended for nurses’ initial training

1989

Rejection of a first tentative agreement by the members
Withdrawal of availability and refusal to do overtime
Seven-day general strike
Bourassa government enforces Bill 160 and imposes severe sanctions on nurses
The first collective agreement is signed

1988

Number of members increases to 45,000
First draft collective agreement

1987

Founding convention of the Fédération des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (FIIQ) on December 2
37,000 nurses represented under one banner
Election of Diane Lavallée as first FIIQ President