VOLUME 13 No. 13 | SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

PROVINCIAL BARGAINING TALKS
Mobilizing to get results at the bargaining table

As our contract talks continue, we’ll be taking to the streets on Saturday, September 23, to remind the government that public services are essential to our society. Thousands of us will march to send the CAQ a powerful message: public systems workers provide Quebecers with care, support, and education, and they deserve fair and healthy working conditions in which to do their job. The event will be hosted by Rosalie Vaillancourt, and music will be provided by Les Louanges. Jeanne-Mance park at 1 o’clock is our meeting place. Don’t hesitate to invite your colleagues, friends and family – they too are affected by what the government does.

See the Front commun Facebook event for more details – and to confirm you’ll be there!

HEALTH CARE REFORM (PLAN SANTÉ)
Colin Boudrias takes a look at the Dubé reform

If you think Bill 15 – the project to reform the health and social services system – is a bit hard to understand, well, you’re not alone. In this hilarious video, humorist Colin Boudrias waves a few red flags in Minister Dubé’s direction (in French).

If you’re looking for an in-depth analysis of Bill 15, you’ll find it in our brief (in French).

PAY EQUITY AND SALARY RELATIVITY
Victory for our graduate medical laboratory technicians (2224)

The MSSS has decided not to continue with the project of using attrition to abolish the 2224 job title in the List of job titles. We were notified of this decision in July, at the end of the period specified in Article 36 of our national provisions. We are very glad that the Ministry changed its mind after hearing representations by the Intersyndicale, an inter-union coalition of which the APTS is a member, during the consultation period. We hope the government will be equally receptive to the solutions we’re putting forward to ensure appropriate recognition for laboratory staff.

THE APTS IN THE MEDIA
Front commun: when 420,000 workers decide to join forces

In an article published last Saturday in Le Devoir’s special insert on the labour movement, spokespersons for the Front commun discussed the strategic advantage gained by unions when they established an alliance just as a new round of bargaining talks was about to begin for public-sector collective agreements. The article notes that the CSN, the CSQ, the FTQ and the APTS “are speaking with one voice in what may well be described as a historic bargaining process.”

APTS president Robert Comeau also discusses similarities with the 1972 Common Front: “[At the time], the idea was to change course so that we could keep our people and eventually attract others. The same is true today: we want to send a strong signal that we care about public services, that we need to reinvest in them, and that we need good people to work there.”

Healthcare professionals and technicians: "a vital element of the public system"

APTS 1st vice-president Josée Fréchette also gave an interview in which she sent a strong message: without professionals and technicians, our health and social services system simply can’t work. Fréchette demystifies the nebulous “Class 4,” talks about the issues she faces on a daily basis and explains why current contract talks to renew the collective agreement are particularly important. Worth reading and sharing!

To counteract measures taken by Meta to prevent news from Canadian media from appearing on Facebook, the APTS is now making all of its media interventions available on its website at aptsq.com/media2023. Go to this page to access articles and interviews related to your union.

SOCIAL SECURITY
WEBINAR | 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. Two options are available (both in French).

  • A full version of the webinar will be offered on September 14, starting at 5:30 p.m. and lasting about two hours. Click HERE to register.
  • A shorter version will be offered on October 3, starting at noon and lasting about an hour. Click HERE to register.

You’ll be able to ask questions in writing at both sessions, but only the full version includes a verbal Q&A period and provides detailed information.

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

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

 

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ORGANIZATION OF WORK AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
OPTILAB: a highly productive tour  of Québec labs

July 20 marked the end of our visits to OPTILAB clusters and extra-territorial partner labs throughout Québec. Over a period of a little more than a year, we were privileged to meet resilient employees who at best are experiencing a fragile state of relative calm, or who in the worst cases have to deal with a situation that is unbearable, day after day. These employees are still passionately committed to their profession and determined to provide Quebecers with quality services. As we took stock of the situation, one thing was utterly obvious: action is urgently required to ensure the future of public labs. We want to thank all of the people who took the time to meet us and express their views, frankly and generously. The insights they shared regarding professional and organizational issues in their region will be extremely valuable in shaping our future actions and representations.

COMMUNICATIONS
We want your picture!

We’re looking for photos of APTS members working under any of the following job titles:

  • criminologist
  • kinesiologist
  • living or rehabilitation unit supervisor
  • medical records archivist
  • recreologist
  • social aide

or any other job title.

Selected photos will be published in a visual montage for the week or day celebrating your profession, on the APTS website and social media. If you’re interested, send us an email with one or two photos showing your face and upper body, or photos of you at work. Be sure to indicate your job title and your workplace (CISSS-CIUSSS).

We won’t be able to publish all the photos we receive, but we’ll keep them on file for future use. Thank you for participating, and please feel free to share our request with your colleagues.