Working full-time and going hungry

Recently, representatives of Québec food banks have been dismayed to discover they have a new clientele: more and more workers are turning to food banks because they can’t make ends meet. In response to the situation, the unions sounded the alarm once again in an open letter published in Le Devoir: “This isn’t a new problem, but it is getting worryingly bigger due to galloping inflation. Everything costs more—housing, transportation, food—yet salaries aren’t keeping pace.” As they point out, however, there are structural solutions: “Salary increases, starting with the minimum wage, would help people cope with the rising cost of living.”

LABOUR RELATIONS
Payment of sick leave that is unused as of November 30

Under article 30.32 of the national provisions of the collective agreement, the employer must pay full-time employees for accumulated sick leave days not used as of November 30, 2022, no later than the following December 15, at the regular salary rate. Part-time employees and those who do not hold positions receive 4.21% of their salary with each pay as a fringe benefit in lieu of sick leave.

PAY EQUITY AND SALARY RELATIVITY
The government can't keep its head in the sand about the shortage of psychologists

On November 24, in response to the critical shortage of psychologists in the public health, social services, schools and college sectors, a coalition of eight unions demanded a meeting with ministers Sonia LeBel, Christian Dubé, Bernard Drainville, Pascale Déry and Lionel Carmant. The first major hurdle in addressing the problem is the government's refusal to settle pay equity complaints filed following the 2015 Treasury Board audit. “The salaries and working conditions of public-sector psychologists make it impossible either to attract or retain these employees, despite their crucial role. Children and adults in distress have to contend with unacceptable waiting lists may even put lives in jeopardy,” said the spokespersons for the APTS, FP-CSN, FPPC-CSQ, FPPE-CSQ, FSSS-CSN, CPAS-CUPE Québec, SPPLRN-CUPE Québec and SPGQ. For more information, see the coalition's press release and read the article in La Presse.

Electoral reform: let's take charge of our democracy!

The October 3 election drew attention to a major distortion of the electoral system that resulted in the disparity between the popular vote and the number of seats won by political parties. If Québec had a mixed-member proportional system, the distribution of seats would better reflect voter preferences. On Tuesday, November 29, the first day of the new session of the National Assembly, the Mouvement démocratie nouvelle (MDN) is organizing a demonstration at noon in Québec City to call for fairer representation of Quebecers in their legislative assembly. To learn more about this issue and take action, visit the C’est juste pas juste website and sign up to help change the voting system.

ORGANIZATION OF WORK AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
SURVEY | Addiction rehabilitation centres (CRDs): what are the issues?

As part of Addictions Awareness Week, the APTS has launched a province-wide survey to gain a better understanding of the problems faced by APTS members who work at addiction rehabilitation centres (CRDs). If you’re one of these workers, please tell us about your experiences: What are your working conditions like? What problems are you encountering in your practice? What are the specific local issues where you work? What measures do you think would improve your working conditions?

TAKE THE SURVEY

Where's the support for youth workers?

It’s been a year and a half since the Laurent Commission tabled its report and we’re still waiting to see any improvement in conditions of practice at youth centres. Waiting lists and wait times grow longer for services provided by employees who are dealing with difficult working conditions: crushing workloads are the norm for both youth protection and rehab centre personnel. Now, youth centre workers are sending a distress call: “Are you ever going to help me?” Please share widely in solidarity with youth workers!

BLUE APTS
Meet our clinical data wizards!

Do you work with medical archivists but wonder what exactly their job entails? As part of Privacy Week, we spoke with three women to put to rest the misconception that they sit in some dark basement doing paperwork. Judith, Lina and Maude design and collect, organize and analyze, disseminate and protect clinical-administrative data throughout its life cycle. Read this BlueAPTS profile to learn more about the scope of their work and the essential role they play.

SOCIO-POLITICAL ACTION
Putting industry on the road to decarbonization

Did you know that the 72 most polluting industrial establishments in Québec are responsible for 22 per cent of the greenhouse gases emitted here, even though they represent less than one per cent of jobs? This makes it clear that the decarbonization of Québec's industrial sector is a vital part of the fight against climate change. The latest study by the Institut de recherche et d'informations socioéconomiques (IRIS) provides an overview of this sector. The study looks at the players involved and helps identify measures that are needed for a just transition that will ensure the health and vitality of regions, as polluting industries will have to change their ways or disappear. A must-read!

SOCIAL SECURITY
What you need to know about the transition from SSQ Insurance to Beneva

It's official: SSQ Insurance will become Beneva on January 1, 2023. There’s no need to worry, though: you’ll continue to enjoy the same coverage and terms as you do with your current policy and you’ll be able to use the same insurance card as well as the familiar SSQ Insurance forms and documents. For the time being, the ways you connect with the insurer (website, phone numbers, Customer Centre and the claims process) will also remain unchanged. You’ll be hearing from the insurer directly by December 20.