VOLUME 11 No. 10 | MAY 18, 2021 | CONTRACT TALKS
A fast-moving ad campaign The APTS continues to push for intersectoral demands through its alliance and its actions with the FIQ. It is also participating in a joint advertising campaign with the central labour organizations (CSN, CSQ, FTQ) in response to the government’s current campaign. The slogan is “Without us, there won’t be any public services” (“Sans nous, il n'y a plus de services publics”). The ads denounce Premier Legault’s inadequate pay offer – still only 5% over three years – and stand up for public services and the women and men who provide them. The ads have been airing on radio and television since May 12 and can also be seen in print and digital media. | May 22 at Place des Montréalaises: it's a date Put on your mask and join the APTS and FIQ bargaining teams at the big demonstration this Saturday. The theme is #paidawomanswage. Let’s tell them loud and clear: You have to pay for our expertise – regardless of gender! We’ll meet at Place des Montréalaises (Champ-de-Mars metro station) at 1:30 p.m. This video with APTS and FIQ presidents will give you more information. Are you working with someone who’s making a vital contribution to the health and social services system? You can let them know how much you value them by tagging them on the demonstration’s Facebook page. If you can’t come, you can still show your solidarity with your colleagues by adding this frame to your profile picture on Facebook and by sharing tracts that denounce the government’s paltry offers. You’ll find the tracts in the Outils section of the negoapts.com website (in English and French). | | ORGANIZATION OF WORK AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
The APTS calls for lab technicians with post-secondary diplomas The APTS is denouncing the impact of a shortage of technicians with post-secondary diplomas in Québec labs. An article on this topic was published in the Journal de Montréal, and the APTS has explained its position in a press release. Class “B” technicians don’t necessarily have a post-secondary diploma, and their number has constantly increased since the launch of the OPTILAB project in 2016. The APTS is asking the government to act quickly to protect the public interest by supporting the attraction and retention of graduate personnel in clinical laboratories. | | APTS members: three teams receive awards Once again this year, APTS members stood out at the Caisse Desjardins du Réseau de la santé awards gala. In the People-Focused category, first prize was awarded to the “Intervenantes de famille en approche de proximité” project submitted by two employees from the CISSS de la Montérégie-Ouest, social worker Isabelle Fournier and special education technician Karine Leblanc. In the High-Performance category, first prize was awarded to a project submitted by Geneviève Thériault-Poirier, occupational therapist at the CHUM: “L’interdisciplinarité au service des patients atteints de COVID-19: mise en œuvre d’un protocole rapide de mise en position ventrale pour soulager la détresse respiratoire.” In the Simple category, second prize went to the single access point for psychosocial and spiritual oncology set up by Joëlle Bélanger, audiologist and project leader, and her team at the CHU de Québec–Université Laval. Congratulations to the award winners and the many finalists! | | LABOUR RELATIONS
Change to travel expenses Every year in April and October, the Treasury Board issues a directive on travel expenses that raises the reimbursement rate set out in clause 33.01 of the national provisions of the collective agreement. As of April 1, the new allowances are $0.490/km for the first 8,000 km and $0.440/km for additional travel. An extra $0.123/km is added for travel on gravel roads. | | FEMINIST ACTION
Consultation on childcare services To gain a better understanding of what Québec families need and expect, the Ministère de la Famille (MFA) has launched a public consultation on the future of educational childcare services. We encourage you to participate by filling out the online questionnaire no later than May 26. Consultation documents are available on the MFA website. The lack of childcare spaces, and the related drop in women’s employment rate, is a matter of concern for the APTS. We’ll be asking you to respond to our own survey on this topic over the next few weeks. | | Balancing family, work and study during the pandemic The Coalition on Family/Work/Study Balance (Coalition Conciliation Famille-Travail-Études, or CCFTÉ), of which the APTS is a member, will be launching the results of its survey on trying to maintain this balance during the pandemic. You are invited to attend the launch at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 1. Two panelists, UQAM professors Mélanie Lefrançois and Dalia Gesualdi-Fecteau, will help ensure a stimulating discussion of the survey findings. Full details will be posted on the CCFTÉ Facebook page and website. | | A talk by Françoise David The World March of Women Committee for Chaudière-Appalaches invites you to celebrate the 26th anniversary of the Bread and Roses March at 1 p.m. on May 27. Guest of honour Françoise David will discuss the history of the event that led to the organization of the march. She will also describe the key role played by women in Québec regions and reflect on the march and what it achieved.The talk is free and you can join by Zoom or go to the invitation on Facebook. On the topic of the history of the World March of Women, the women’s inter-union coalition (Intersyndicale des femmes) has developed an excellent document entitled Une histoire brève de la Marche mondiale des femmes. You’ll find it free of charge on the APTS website. | | Collectivités ZéN: a new initiative to support net zero emissions Collectivités ZéN (Net Zero Emissions Communities) is an ambitious initiative launched on May 12 by the Front commun pour la transition énergétique (FCTÉ). The goal is to bring together actors from all sectors to work on inclusive transition approaches designed by and for specific territories. The first four projects are Laval ZéN, ClimAction Lachine, Chantier ZéN (Québec City area) and Chantier ZéN (Saguenay‒Lac-Saint-Jean). To learn more and see the video, go to the FCTÉ website or Facebook page. Membership in the FCTÉ is part of the APTS commitment to play a greater part in the fight against climate change. | | UNION LIFE
Election to the provincial socio-political action committee An online General Council will take place from May 27 to June 3, 2021, to elect a member to the provincial socio-political action committee. Anyone who is a member of an APTS bargaining unit can run for this position. See the notice of election for more details. If you’re interested, act quickly to fill out the form, which must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. on May 18, 2021. | SSQ INSURANCE
Good news for travelers Air Canada and Air Transat are now offering refunds in the original form of payment for flights, vacation or travel credits cancelled at the request of the company or their customers. Air Canada will accept your request for a refund for your flight, vacation or travel credit until June 12, 2021. Your booking must have been made before April 13, 2021, for a travel date on or after February 1, 2020. Travel credits will continue to be honoured beyond June 12, 2021. Air Transat will accept your request for a travel credit refund until August 26, 2021. Your booking must have been made before April 29, 2021, for a travel date on or after February 1, 2020. Travel credits will continue to be honoured beyond August 26, 2021. To get your refund, fill out the form on the Air Canada or Air Transat website. For more information, see the SSQ’s frequently asked questions. | | SSQ car and home insurance A letter providing details on the benefits of purchasing an SSQ car and/or home insurance policy, signed by APTS president Andrée Poirier, will be sent by SSQ Insurance in late May to members who do not hold such a policy. If you’re already insured with the SSQ, you should already benefit from these discounts. Make sure the postal address in your SSQ file is valid by checking the SSQ Insurance Customer Centre website. If you have questions, contact the SSQ customer service department at 1-866-777-2886. | | | | | |
