The APTS: 20 years of growing for you

On March 18, 2004, the Centrale des professionnelles et professionnels de la santé merged with the Association professionnelle des technologistes médicales du Québec to form the APTS.

At the time, the government had just passed a bill that would completely transform the health and social services system. It did so in hopes of undermining unions and compromising working conditions.

For its founders, the APTS was a strategic response to the government’s power grab. History proved them right. From an original 15,000 members, to over 65,000 members 20 years on, the APTS has become a major actor in the Québec union movement.

DECISION-MAKING BODIES
General Council: a full-course menu

After the upheaval of provincial contract talks, union life is getting back to normal, so to speak, with this week’s General Council taking place over three days in Lévis. The agenda is jam-packed. Issues to cover include the provincial contract talks (status, the collective agreement text, etc.), the health care reform (Plan santé), expanding professional practices (EPP), the provincial priorities action plan, the future of labs, the update to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and workload.

SOCIO-POLITICAL ACTION
2024-2025 budget: "In no way a responsible budget"

This was the comment from APTS president Robert Comeau about the recent provincial budget. His criticism was that the government could have made different choices, generating an additional $3 billion to $4 billion.

He pointed out that that money could have been put to good use in the health and social services system, in part to help wean it off its reliance on independent labour and to modernize the crucial sector of technical medical departments.

Instead, Québec is maintaining its tax cuts and payments to the Generations Fund and is setting the stage for a return to cuts and austerity.

See the press release

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

The APTS will be marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21. While this date was declared by the United Nations General Assembly nearly 60 years ago, racism is still very much with us, and we need to continue the fight.

This is one of the mandates adopted by the APTS provincial committee on cultural diversity, which has produced a glossary to familiarize members with concepts of cultural diversity and issues of racism.

Youth protection: share your story

Youth protection tends to get bad press. Despite this, every day, away from the headlines, there are positive stories that deserve to be told. Rays of hope, little miracles, significant moments, touching stories: you are the people who can bring them to light.

The APTS invites you to share your stories until March 29, the idea being to put together a collection we will make public. Send your text (a maximum of 2-3 pages) to sotep@aptsq.com, with the word “SHARE” in the subject line of your email. Be sure to respect confidentiality to protect the children and your colleagues.

ORGANIZATION OF WORK AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
Expanding professional practices: the lines are open

Have you witnessed changes in practices or directives that promote the expansion of professional practices (EPP)? Have you been approached by your employer on this issue? Have you noticed practices on the ground that are akin to expanding the scope of professional practices and that seem to be in the process of being officially implemented? Contact us by completing this form.

To find out more about expanding professional practices, or EPP, consult our Current Issues article.

UNION ORGANIZING
Côte-Nord: upcoming elections

Watch upcoming mailings from the APTS: a notice of election will be issued the week of March 25 for the vacant position of provincial representative for the Côte-Nord.

PROVINCIAL CONTRACT TALKS
2023-2028 collective agreement: what's next

With the tentative deal accepted, your bargaining team will work in the coming weeks on drafting the text for the new collective agreement. This exercise will take some time, given the number of articles involved.

The union and employer parties will then need to agree on the text before signing the agreement.

When the time comes, we will tell you how the retroactive amount due to you will be paid and provide details about how your new collective agreement will be applied. Have a question? Feel free to write us at nego2023@aptsq.com.

SOCIAL SECURITY
Group insurance: new rates

Have fun while learning: see the new group insurance rates in effect April 1 and take our test to find out how much you know about insurance. Not only will you learn about the details of the renewal, but you will also become an insurance expert!

Take the test

Webinar on the RREGOP (Government and Public Employees Retirement Plan)

Whether you’re at the beginning of your career or just about to retire, the information webinar “Mieux comprendre le RREGOP et les autres prestations de retraite” is for you. It will give you the information you need to optimize your contribution to your pension plan.

The webinar will take place April 4 at 5:30 p.m. and will last about two hours.

Sign me up
 

If you have a question, write to us at
retraite.assurance@aptsq.com. Union leave time can’t be granted for this type of event.

FINANCIAL SERVICES AND AUDIT OFFICE
Strike days: financial compensation

Good news: as of this writing, 98% of over 215,000 claims for strike pay have been processed and paid.

We urge you to make your claims as soon as possible, because the deadline is March 31, 2024.

PAY EQUITY AND JOB EVALUATION
2020 pay equity audit

The Treasury Board Secretariat will be publishing the second posting for the 2020 pay equity audit no later than March 19.

On or after that date, take a look at our FAQ for full details.

You’ll also find out how to file a complaint with the CNESST, and we’ll keep you updated on that topic.

New podcast on pay equity

Explore the ins and outs of pay equity with a brand-new podcast from the CNESST, launched March 8. Entitled La juste valeur, this podcast is the perfect tool to familiarize you with the fundamental right to a fair, equitable salary.

The origins of the Pay Equity Act, the characteristics of predominantly female jobs, the role of pay equity counsellors and investigators as well as the rights and recourses set out in the Act won’t hold any more secrets for you!

To listen to the podcast, visit https://www.lajustevaleur.com or go to online listening platforms Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Balado Québec or YouTube.