{"id":5610,"date":"2024-12-16T16:16:24","date_gmt":"2024-12-16T21:16:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fiqsante.qc.ca\/?p=5610"},"modified":"2024-12-17T20:43:56","modified_gmt":"2024-12-18T01:43:56","slug":"federal-council-on-december-9-10-11-and-special-convention-on-december-12-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fiqsante.qc.ca\/en\/federal-council-on-december-9-10-11-and-special-convention-on-december-12-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Federal Council on December 9, 10, 11 and Special convention on December 12, 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nFederal Council on December 9, 10, 11 and Special convention on December 12, 2024<\/h2>\n

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Message from the President<\/h3>\n

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This past year has been very eventful to put it mildly: we mobilized all across Quebec and we participated in strenuous negotiations almost all year and finally signed the texts of our new collective agreement, which came into force on December 15, 2024. As we expected, the Coalition Avenir Qu\u00e9bec government then continued to give us a run for our money with the implementation of Sant\u00e9 Qu\u00e9bec, the announcement of budget cuts and the reform of the collective bargaining process in the public and parapublic sectors.<\/p>\n

This week, the FIQ Executive Committee and your union representatives from all across Quebec met to discuss strategic planning, adopt the 2025 financial forecast, renew the group insurance contract, discuss the deployment of the provincial provisions of the new collective agreement, and discuss the solidarity pact regarding the strike days during negotiations.<\/p>\n

After this week of steady work in Laval, we left with a clear vision of the challenges ahead and the solidarity that is vital to better representing you and your voice.<\/p>\n

The presentation on the context also led us to meet to prepare for the major battle we will have to fight in the coming year to pressure the Fran\u00e7ois Legault government, which insists on making cuts in the health network at the expense of your working conditions.<\/p>\n

It’s no secret that austerity has been making a comeback for several weeks now. Although the government claims that this austerity has minimal effects on patient care, the measures we have recently heard about say quite the opposite. Hundreds of job cuts, the delay in hiring around twenty CPNPs at the IUCPQ, the request to reduce work hours by 3.65%, and the sudden spike in mandatory overtime at the Maisonneuve-Rosemont hospital all paint a chilling picture of the network. Last week, a senior public service manager warned Sant\u00e9 Qu\u00e9bec’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Genevi\u00e8ve Biron of the harmful effects of budget cuts affecting home care. This next year will be crucial for our organization and we will have to double our efforts to defend your working conditions and denounce the policies of this business-minded government, which threatens the very mission of the government in health care: to treat and care for.<\/p>\n

More than ever, we need everyone’s help to document this situation properly so that we can take credible action in the public arena. Tell your local union about unreasonable measures you witness and feel free to call on the FIQ\u2019s union consultants. By putting pressure on the government through denunciations, we will be able to strategically position ourselves in the playing field and finally get our leaders to listen. We, the 80,000 FIQ member healthcare professionals, are the ones who have the expertise to propose real solutions.<\/p>\n

It is no secret that healthcare professionals have to make heart-wrenching decisions about work-personal life balance, especially during the holidays. This year, my wish is that you find time to rest and take care of yourself in your busy schedules. We will see each other in 2025 to continue working on our priorities to build a strong, healthy and stable health network.<\/p>\n

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Julie Bouchard<\/strong>
\nFIQ President[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”5618″ img_size=”full” css=””][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]2025 Priority Actions<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text]Find out more<\/span><\/a>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”5620″ img_size=”full” css=””][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]2025 Financial forecast<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text]Find out more<\/span><\/a>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”5622″ img_size=”full” css=””][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]2025 Group insurance contract renewal<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text]Find out more<\/span><\/a>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”5624″ img_size=”full” css=””][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]Strike pay: adoption of the conditions for the solidarity pact<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text]Find out more<\/span><\/a>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”3412″ img_size=”full” css=””][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]Your representatives in action<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text]View photos<\/span><\/a>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator]<\/a>[vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

2025 Priority Actions<\/h3>\n

Every year, December is the month when the Federation\u2019s delegates reflect on our priorities for the year ahead. This reflection allows us to renew our union engagement and to agree on the best direction for the future.<\/p>\n

Your union representatives adopted the following priorities:<\/p>\n

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  1. Deploying the next collective agreement<\/li>\n
  2. Holding the convention<\/li>\n
  3. Union allegiance vote in the health sector<\/li>\n
  4. Implementing safe ratios<\/li>\n
  5. Mobilization<\/li>\n
  6. Impact of budget cuts in the health sector<\/li>\n
  7. Closely following the deployment of Sant\u00e9 Qu\u00e9bec<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u00a0<\/strong>Deploying the next collective agreement <\/strong><\/p>\n

    We all invested an enormous amount of energy in unprecedented negotiations. Despite the uncertainties, the approved proposal includes significant advances that give us hope for some changes in your working and practice conditions.<\/p>\n

    We stood our ground and we will continue to do so. Now, our goal is for you to see the positive effects of these new conditions as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n

    Holding the convention<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The convention is a time to confirm the collective vision we wish to share. It is a time to review our actions over the last few years, to make collective choices, and to propel us into the future to ensure that we are the best at what we decide to do.<\/p>\n

    Union allegiance vote in the health sector<\/strong><\/p>\n

    On December 4, barely three days after the merging of the health and social services institutions within Sant\u00e9 Qu\u00e9bec, Minister Sonia LeBel announced her intention to review the framework for negotiating collective agreements in the public and parapublic sectors. She said that she wanted to avoid changes that trigger a raiding period or major changes to union certifications.<\/p>\n

    However, since the bill has not been tabled, and since we have learned over time that it is wise to go by what is written rather than drawing conclusions based on the CAQ’s public statements, preparing an eventual union allegiance vote is still one of the Federation\u2019s priorities.<\/p>\n

    Implementing safe ratios<\/strong><\/p>\n

    It will always be a FIQ priority to improve healthcare professionals\u2019 day to day. This battle for safe ratios will only end once they are implemented and protected by law.<\/p>\n

    Mobilization<\/strong><\/p>\n

    For union reps, member mobilization is a vital priority. In the tumult of the Dub\u00e9 reform, this priority is highly important.<\/p>\n

    Impact of budget cuts in the health sector<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Rigour or budgetary consolidation, whatever you want to call it, we are clearly entering a period of austerity. The same cycle has been happening for years: after tax cuts, the government deficit comes to the forefront. Next come budget cuts and cuts to public services.<\/p>\n

    So, Sant\u00e9 Qu\u00e9bec is starting with a mandate to reduce the institutions\u2019 deficit in the network. There\u2019s no question that healthcare professionals will be affected: non-replacement, capped overtime, job posting suspension and job cuts are in the cards. You have done more with less for long enough and we will be on managers\u2019 cases, reminding them that the limit has long been passed.<\/p>\n

    Closely following the deployment of Sant\u00e9 Qu\u00e9bec<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The Act respecting the governance of the health and social services system<\/em> was passed on December 13, 2023 and so we are starting to see concrete changes happen, such as the merging of Quebec healthcare institutions under one employer: Sant\u00e9 Qu\u00e9bec. As announced, the law\u2019s provisions will gradually take effect and will impact most of the FIQ affiliated unions and the vast majority of employees working in health care in Quebec. The Federation is closely monitoring this deployment and will take the necessary actions at the appropriate time.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator]<\/a>[vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

    2025 Financial forecast<\/h3>\n

    At the Federal Council, the delegation took note of the 2025 financial forecast and adopted it. It is based on a rigorous preparation process involving the Executive Committee and the organization’s management team.<\/p>\n

    The budget focuses on financial stability despite inflation and supports the Federation’s priorities: provincial negotiations, healthcare professional-to-patient ratios, the Convention and the Dub\u00e9 reform. It also includes additional resources to meet the needs of healthcare professionals, affiliated unions and the Federation itself.<\/p>\n

    These priorities, coupled with strategic planning for 2022-2025, will require significant expenditure and strict management of finances. Nonetheless, this budget confirms that the Federation remains in sound financial health.<\/p>\n

    Mindful of its environmental impact, the Federation has reduced its travel costs by around 12% in recent years, despite adding to its workforce.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator]<\/a>[vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

    2025 Group insurance contract renewal<\/h3>\n

    At the Federal Council on December 9, 10 and 11, 2024, your union representatives agreed to the conditions for renewing the FIQ\u2019s group insurance contract from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.<\/p>\n

    Highlights:<\/p>\n