PROVINCIAL CONTRACT TALKS
The APTS joins the Front commun

During the next round of contract talks, the APTS will be standing with the CSN, CSQ and FTQ in negotiating intersectoral matters on your behalf. The four labour organizations are determined to change their power dynamic with the government. Common demands relating to pay, pension plan, parental rights and regional disparities will be presented under the Front commun banner.

“We represent 420,000 workers from the public and parapublic sectors, and we’ll be speaking with one voice,” says Josée Fréchette, 1^st vice-president and political officer responsible for national bargaining talks. “It’s the first time an independent labour union is joining the common front on the same footing as Québec’s major labour federations. This shows the importance of the role played by the APTS in the health and social services system.”

See the Front commun press release for details.

DECISION-MAKING BODIES
APTS General Council makes key decisions

On September 27, 28, and 29, your delegates came together in Saint-Hyacinthe for a General Council that proved to be crucially important. The sectoral and intersectoral demands that the APTS will file with the Treasury Board Secretariat at the end of October, as part of the process of negotiating your provincial collective agreement, were adopted by a unanimous vote. And the APTS has now joined the CSN, CSQ and FTQ as a member of the Front commun, launching its mobilization campaign with the slogan “We won’t back down”.

The General Council was also an opportunity to learn about the government’s plan to reform the healthcare system, the situation in labs, the impact of the PQPTM (Québec Program for Mental Disorders), and the workings of our union life. Stay tuned for a detailed account in our next issue. 

SOCIO-POLITICAL ACTION | ORGANIZATION OF WORK AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
The APTS is ready to move on the Plan santé

The APTS was invited to participate in a series of consultation meetings related to the implementation of the Plan santé, i.e., the Legault government’s plan to revamp the health and social services system. Our teams attended the meetings on governance (August 23) and youth protection and mental health (September 27). The speed with which these hurried consultations took place, and the lack of measures relating to technical medical departments, are of particular concern to the APTS. Details to come.

THE APTS IN THE NEWS
Crisis in the DI-TSA mission: RACs on a cliff edge

Can we provide appropriate rehabilitation services in Québec, or is that simply impossible? An APTS survey of employees in the DI-TSA sector (intellectual disorders / autism spectrum disorder) reveals difficult working conditions. Using our data and information provided by APTS 1^st vice-president Josée Fréchette, Le Devoir reported on the critical situation in residences with continuous assistance (RACs) and living units (UIs). For more information, see the article in Le Devoir and the document that summarizes the results of our survey.

ORGANIZATION OF WORK AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
SURVEY | Medical imaging, radiation oncology, medical electrophysiology, nuclear medicine: what are the issues?

On September 21, the organization of work and professional issues sector sent survey questionnaires – personalized according to the recipient’s area of expertise – to medical imaging, radiation oncology, medical electrophysiology, and nuclear medicine technologists. We hope all APTS members employed in the overall family of medical imaging will check their inbox and answer the survey by October 13. If you have a question, please write to us at sotep@aptsq.com, putting “Medical imaging survey” in the subject line of your email.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
Marching to protest the setbacks embodied in Bill 27

Various provisions of Bill 27, the Act to modernize the occupational health and safety regime, will come into force on October 6. This is the moment for us to denounce setbacks relating to the right to rehabilitation and measures forcing victims of work-related accidents or illnesses to go back to work. We also need to keep on fighting for an occupational health and safety regime that truly protects us. Full details on the Facebook page for the event.

LABOUR RELATIONS
Freedom of speech: a win for the APTS against the MUHC

On September 20, the TAT (administrative labour tribunal) handed down a decision that opened a new chapter for union mobilizing. During a visibility action carried out by the medical imaging sector on September 8, 2021, the MUHC prevented our members from continuing their silent march through the Glen site, citing obligations derived from the Act respecting health services and social services and the fact that a form had not been filled out. The TAT ultimately decided in favour of the APTS, reasserting that freedom of expression – which is protected by the Québec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms – takes precedence over any law enacted in Québec and that it is essential to the labour movement.

Suspension of paid leave associated with COVID-19 isolation: possible legal action 

The APTS is analyzing the possibility of launching court actions following the decision of the CPNSSS (the management bargaining committee for the health and social services sector) to stop providing compensation for people required to isolate for reasons related to COVID-19. The CPNSSS has flatly refused to listen to us after a political intervention intended to make it aware of the impact of this measure, especially for immunocompromised people who must isolate for longer periods. More details soon.

SOCIAL SECURITY
Making sense of the RREGOP and other pension benefits

Whether you’re at the beginning of your career or just about to retire, this webinar will give you the tools you need to optimize your participation in your pension plan.

The webinar will take place on October 18 at 5.30 p.m. (in French).

I’ll be there

* Sessions last about two hours.

** Union leave time cannot be granted for this type of meeting.

If you have a question, write to us at retraite.assurance@aptsq.com.