PROVINCIAL CONTRACT TALKS
Front commun sets record straight after government's misleading statements

The Front commun reacted sharply to the misleading remarks of health minister Christian Dubé and premier François Legault, who said last week that the unions weren’t ready to come to the bargaining table. In fact, bargaining teams are still waiting for a suitable schedule of meetings. “Let’s be clear,” the Front commun spokespeople said, “our teams are ready. They’ve brought very concrete proposals to each of the bargaining tables and suggested several dates for meetings, but somehow the employer doesn’t seem to have the same degree of availability. […] The government should take immediate action at the bargaining tables to reach agreement on solutions that can be rolled out in these sectors, instead of doing everything it can to divert media attention.”

To learn more, read the Front commun press release – and stay tuned: an Info-Négo newsletter is coming soon.

THE APTS IN THE NEWS
Bill 10: Restriction on use of private placement agencies not enough

Under Bill 10, a 5-page piece of legislation tabled by Minister Dubé on February 15, health and social service organizations can no longer call on the services of personnel placement agencies, or hire independent workers, “except to the extent prescribed by regulation of the Government.” While welcoming the government's intention to limit the use of placement agencies, the APTS emphasizes that this aim cannot be achieved without introducing sustained measures to attract workers to the public sector and keep them there. “In the long term,” cautioned APTS president Robert Comeau, “contract talks are the only way to provide genuine recognition for employees who carry the weight of the public health care system on their shoulders. It’s the only way we can persuade them to stay – or to return in the case of those who have already left.”

To learn more about our union’s position, read our press release and stay tuned for APTS recommendations on Bill 10 and associated regulations.

ORGANIZATION OF WORK AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
APTS urges lab decentralization

The APTS has repeatedly sounded the alarm in recent years concerning the crisis at medical laboratories. Last week, two Québec physicians’ federations, the FMOQ and FMSQ, corroborated the union’s warnings with a statement on the adverse impact of centralization. “The OPTILAB reform has been generating one problem after another ever since it was implemented,” explained Sandra Etienne, 4th vice-president and medical technologist. “The new system created two classes of patients [...] and labs are more and more restricted in their ability to deal with anything but emergencies. We’ve met with Mr. Dubé many times to tell him about the problems in labs, without ever obtaining concrete improvements on the ground. How can he claim that he didn’t know what was going on until the letter from the FMOQ and FMSQ? He’s got to shoulder his responsibilities and put things back on track before we reach the breaking point in terms of services provided for Quebecers,” she added.

To learn more, read our press release.

Youth protection: our meeting with Lionel Carmant

With youth protection waiting lists hitting record highs, the APTS met with Lionel Carmant, the minister responsible for social services, on February 6, asking him to establish a framework for work overload as quickly as possible. Workers have been carrying the full weight of the system on their shoulders for far too long and any measures designed to speed up the current assessment process must be agreed to voluntarily. We are keeping a close eye on the situation and we urge you to get in touch with your local team if you find yourself under pressure to take on additional cases.

At the meeting, the APTS proposed medium and long-term solutions, particularly revolving around preventive action, a stronger front line, and a co-intervention approach. As for Minister Carmant, he promised to implement the Laurent Commission report's recommendACTIONS, in addition to meeting with workers in the field and holding further meetings with the APTS in the coming weeks. To be continued.

PROVINCIAL CONTRACT TALKS | LABOUR RELATIONS
Travel allowance increases

On February 10, 2023, new guidelines were issued by the health and social service ministry (MSSS) regarding the increase in certain travel allowances under the national provisions of the collective agreement. Accordingly, as of December 13, 2022, the following new meal allowances took effect: $13.75 for breakfast; $18.90 for lunch; $28.50 for dinner. In addition, the daily allowance added to the reimbursement of real expenses incurred during a hotel stay is now $7.75. The employer has 30 days from the date the guideline was issued to make adjustments retroactive to December 13, 2022. For more information, please contact your local team.

SOCIAL SECURITY
WEBINAR | RREGOP and other retirement benefits

Whether you are heading into retirement or just beginning your career, our webinar will provide you with the information you need to take best advantage of your pension plan. The next session is on February 23, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. (in French).

Sign me up

* The session will last approximately two hours.

** Please note that this type of activity does not qualify for union leave.

If you have any questions, contact us at retraite.assurance@aptsq.com.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
Health and social services information: The employer's responsibility for preventing falls in winter

This winter, we want to remind you to report all hazardous conditions to your employer and make them aware of their obligations when it comes to preventing accidental slips and falls outdoors. This may seem like a trivial matter, but it can have serious consequences and even result in lasting injury.

For more information on the subject, see the guide published by the ASSTSAS (Association paritaire pour la santé et la sécurité du travail du secteur affaires sociales), which covers preventive measures such as the use of abrasive and ice melting substances, the prompt clearing of snow and ice from entranceways, garages, parking lots, outdoor walkways and stairways, and emergency exits, and the use of shoes with detachable ice grippers. Feel free to contact your local team if you have any questions.

COMMUNICATIONS
The 5th annual SRS awards

The SRS awards (Prix Stars du Réseau de la santé) were created by the arm of the Caisse Desjardins serving the needs of clients who work in the fields of health care, social services and life sciences. The awards are designed to recognize and showcase the efforts of professionals in the health and social service system to provide better care to Quebecers. The prizes, worth a combined total of $26,000, are awarded in the form of grants in the amount of $3,500, $2,000 and $1,000 to 12 finalists in four different categories. If you would like to enter a project undertaken in your department or institution, you have until March 1, 2023, to submit your candidacy. If you have any questions, please write to Annick Boismenu, director of communications, marketing and organizational life at Caisse Desjardins du Réseau de la santé.

PAY EQUITY AND SALARY RELATIVITY
Update on pay equity issues

The last issue of the Fil included a reference to the latest issue of the Pay Equity and Salary Newsletter, which covers issues such as the 2020 pay equity complaints and requests for creation of new job titles. It should be of interest to many of you. An English translation is now available. Check it out!

BlueAPTS
Medical imaging technologists do much more than meets the eye

In the last issue of the Fil, we mentioned a new article in BleuAPTS on medical imaging technologists. Four APTS members, Anick, Mathieu, Nathalie and Marie-Eve, work in the field of medical imaging, specializing, respectively, in medical electrophysiology, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology and radiodiagnostics. While the work they do is varied and vital, they point out that few people understand the demands of their profession, and their expertise too often goes unrecognized. This interesting article gives you a better idea of the work they do, and it’s now available in English in BlueAPTS.