On the heels of last week’s 48-hour walkout by Quebec nurses, auxiliary nurses, and other healthcare workers, the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ) has announced four new strike days in December. The union said on Tuesday that if contract negotiations are not settled with the provincial government, its members will walk off the job from December 11-14.
A communication sent to FIQ members on November 28 notes that strike action in recent weeks has resulted in a change in tone between the parties at the table: “Management has finally agreed to listen to union demands and proposals, which is something they had refused to do until now.”
The FIQ confirms that there has been movement at the negotiation tables, but they feel the need to continue putting pressure on the government. These latest pressure tactics come as Premier François Legault and the Quebec treasury board president, Sonia LeBel, have both called for more flexibility on the part of the unions. Legault said last week that the government would be prepared to increase the government’s offer in return for some compromises, especially around work schedules.
The tentative strike dates will once again coincide with those of striking healthcare, social services, and education workers affiliated with the Front commun, who announced a seven-day walkout from December 8-14 if the contract dispute has not been resolved before then.