FEMINIST ACTION
"Twenty-first-century feminism must be inclusive"

As International Women's Rights Day approaches, a motion has been tabled by the Collectif 8 mars (of which the APTS is a member), Québec solidaire, the Liberal Party and the Parti Québécois asking the National Assembly to acknowledge the multiplicity of feminist struggles. The motion was defeated by the CAQ majority on the grounds that the intersectional perspective espoused in the motion was at odds with “its vision of feminism”!

The APTS and the Collectif 8 mars both subscribe to an inclusive feminism that leaves no one behind. We take pride in the fact that International Women’s Rights Day 2023 highlights the struggle for women’s rights in all its forms under the theme Feminist Resistance. We will be meeting with Martine Biron, the minister for the status of women, on March 16, when we will take the opportunity to talk to her about the many benefits of using intersectional Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) in the defence of women's rights.

In an open letter to Le Devoir, Françoise David, former president of the Fédération des femmes du Québec, concurs: “So, if I understand correctly, Québec feminism and Québec feminists – of whom I am one – should not take the great diversity of women into account in their analyses, their demands and their approach to taking action. However – and this is obvious – twenty-first century feminism must be inclusive or it will be the end of feminism. We’re not in 1950 anymore.” Words worth pondering – and acting upon!

What is intersectionality?

Are you wondering about the much-discussed notion of intersectionality that has been causing such a stir in the National Assembly? Anthropologist and columnist Emilie Nicolas has written an article on that topic in Le Devoir where she clearly and concisely explains the historical origins and merits of this approach to defending women’s rights, offering instructive examples. Nicolas puts it this way: “Government programs that aren’t informed by an intersectional approach are like “one-size-fits-all” clothing in stores: they’re supposed to fit everyone, but they don’t really fit anyone, except perhaps the so-called average woman dreamt up in the minds of the people who design them.” Read the article and share it!

On the move for International Women's Rights Day

On International Women’s Rights Day, come air your feminist convictions at the demonstration organized by Women of Diverse Origins / Femmes de diverses origines. The Collectif 8 mars will be there. Join us at 4 p.m. at 845 Sherbrooke Street West, or at 5 p.m. at Cabot Square, and make our feminist resistance loud and clear!

SOCIAL SECURITY
Insurance premium increases effective April 1, 2023

Our group insurance premiums are going up again this year. To find out why and how much as well as how we can limit these increases in future, see our newsletter. This added financial burden is the reason behind a number of our demands during the current contract talks for a renewed collective agreement. We're calling for an increase in the employer's health insurance contribution and for the creation of a universal public prescription drug plan. To learn more about the benefits of such a plan, see our article in BlueAPTS.

Insurance coverage during unpaid leave of absence exceeding 28 days or parental leave

Are you expecting a child and planning to take parental leave as provided for in the collective agreement? Are you taking an unpaid leave of absence of more than 28 days? In both cases, you need to make an informed decision about your insurance coverage. If you choose to waive coverage under Complementary Plan I (disability insurance and life insurance) to save some money, you will not receive long-term disability insurance benefits in the event of disability. Moreover, in case of death, no benefits will be payable under the SSQ insurance policy. If you don’t make a choice, the health care coverage you had before your absence will stand.

For more information, see page XVII of the SSQ brochure Your Group Insurance Plan, or contact us at retraite.assurance@aptsq.com.

BlueAPTS
The secret to a strong health and social service system

The discontent with the current state of the health and social service system is palpable. Given all the broken promises to Quebecers – to put an end to waiting lists and give everyone access to a family doctor – it’s only natural that government pledges to fix the problems with the health-care system are greeted with suspicion. Yet the Legault government goes on peddling threadbare solutions in its health-care reform plan, from cost control and phony decentralization to expanding the role of the private sector. Fortunately, the APTS has a distinctly different vision for the health care and social service system that we will be promoting with a campaign on the theme “A strong union for a strong public system.” Check out the article on BlueAPTS for a broad view of the kind of health-care system Quebecers deserve and the principles that should guide any government that’s serious about making it better.

ORGANIZATION OF WORK AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
Everyone's talking about OPTILAB

The APTS has long been sounding the alarm about the detrimental effects of the OPTILAB project, but today we are no longer standing alone. Now that the issues we raised are leading to concrete consequences, additional voices – both professional and political – are criticizing this exercise in centralization and the quagmire it’s created for our labs and hospitals. To learn more, read the first part of our OPTILAB Newsletter and stay tuned for the next issue of the Fil@pts for a report on our meetings with the ministry along with news about ongoing and upcoming actions.

LABOUR RELATIONS
Now is your opportunity to decide if you want a 37.5 hour work week

Are you a human relations officer, lawyer, educator, psychoeducator, psychologist, special education technician or social worker? If so, according to Letter of Agreement No. 12 of the national provisions of the collective agreement, the employer must soon give you the opportunity to:

• increase your hours of work on the basis of a 37.5-hour work week
  
  or
   
• opt for the weekly hours of work currently associated with your position.

Since this choice is irreversible, we recommend that you read the page on the APTS website dedicated to this key step in the process so that you can make an informed decision.

Maternity leave rights: another victory for the APTS

The APTS has just won another victory for women's rights. On December 19, 2022, arbitrator Jean-Yves Brière allowed the grievances filed by the APTS with the CISSS de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue with the aim of having the psychologist retention premium factored into the calculation of maternity leave allowance, so that this allowance will more closely approximate an employee's compensation on the job.

Under public sector collective agreements, including the one that governs APTS members, employees on maternity leave receive an allowance calculated on the basis of their basic weekly pay, i.e., their hourly wage, excluding a number of premiums. In his decision, the arbitrator agreed with the APTS that it was discriminatory under the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms not to consider the retention premium for psychologists when calculating maternity leave allowance, given that the premium is included when calculating remuneration applicable to other types of leave, such as statutory holidays, vacation time and disability insurance.

This decision opens the door to including other premiums in the calculation of maternity leave allowance, provided they are paid during other types of leave. Feel free to contact your local team for more information.

THE APTS IN THE NEWS
The 2023-2024 budget: no to lower taxes!

With the Québec budget slated to be tabled on March 21, many groups are calling on the government to reconsider its plan to cut taxes. “The government would be better advised to spend the money on health care and hospitals, which are in desperate need, as well as on dilapidated schools and decaying roads,” wrote journalist Hélène Baril in an article published in La Presse. “This is what many groups are calling for in light of the general deterioration of public services.” The APTS goes further still, calling for the redirection of payments to the Generations Fund into the health and social service system. To learn more about our demands during the pre-budget consultations, see our brief on the topic (in French).