Don't take patients hostage' in labour disruptions, Legault

par Jeromec, jeudi 26 octobre 2023, 16:12 (il y a 908 jours) @ Jeromec

De la part de celui qui a pris toute une population en otage et qui a menacé jusqu'à la dernière minute les infirmières...

https://montrealgazette.com/news/quebec/dont-take-patients-hostage-in-labour-disruption...
Don't take patients hostage' in labour disruptions, Legault tells nurses

Representatives of the unions said the only way they will cancel their strike action is if the fresh government offer Sunday is "substantial."

Author of the article:Philip Authier • Montreal Gazette
Published Oct 26, 2023 • Last updated 28 minutes ago • 2 minute read
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Quebec Premier François Legault gestures as he answers reporters' questions at the National Assembly in Quebec City.
"Negotiating collective agreements is never easy. I remind you that we are offering, on average, a 13-per-cent increase," said Premier François Legault, seen in a file photo. PHOTO BY JOHN MAHONEY /Montreal Gazette
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QUEBEC — Premier François Legault said Thursday that he hopes the province’s nurses don’t take Quebecers and especially patients in hospitals “hostage” in their planned labour disruptions Nov. 8-9.

But confirming 470,000 health, education and social workers will walk off the job Nov. 6, the common front of unions issued a statement saying a second day of disruptions are planned.

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One day after personally talking to public-sector workers on the sidewalk outside his office, Legault used his morning encounter with the media to turn up the heat on the unions and, in particular, members of Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé (FIQ) representing 80,000 nurses, nursing assistants and other workers.

On Wednesday, the FIQ became the latest public-sector union to announce it is joining in on strike action. The FIQ has chosen Nov. 8-9.

“Negotiating collective agreements is never easy,” Legault said, arriving for question period. “I remind you that we are offering, on average, a 13-per-cent increase. The offer is differentiated. For example, there is more for nurses on night shifts.

“Now, we will improve this offer. (Treasury Board president) Sonia LeBel will improve this offer Sunday.

“We really want to settle. I hope the nursing unions won’t take Quebecers, Quebec patients hostage with the strike they are planning.”

Legault made the comment moments after the common front issued a statement confirming their Nov. 6 strike action.

Essential services will be maintained during the strike, and the FIQ said Wednesday that Quebecers “can count on the professionalism of health-care professionals in the health network.” The Administrative Labour Tribunal has already approved the lists of essential services to be maintained.

“We have been clear on our intention to exercise the strike mandate voted on by the workers we represent to attain a satisfactory agreement,” the statement said. “Beyond the exchanges at the sectorial tables, in reality talks are blocked at the central table on salaries. Nothing is moving.”

At a news conference in Montreal, representatives of the unions said the only way they will cancel their strike action is if the fresh government offer Sunday is “substantial.”

But at the same time, they expressed doubts that the offer will be solid enough to make them back down.

There was no immediate comment on Legault’s remarks about the nurses.

La Presse Canadienne contributed to this report.