Angry over bonus for nurses, Quebec health-care union suspends contract vote and talks strike
The offer of bonuses to Quebec nurses has just halted what could have become a ratified agreement for 60,000 union members working in Quebec’s health and social services sector.
The Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux (APTS) has decided to stop a consultation with its members. They were in the process of voting on Quebec's latest offer to renew their collective agreement.
“Everything has changed” with these bonuses for nurses only, said Robert Comeau, interim president of the APTS, in an interview on Friday.
The APTS represents 60,000 medical imaging and laboratory technologists, as well as workers in youth centres.
Comeau said the APTS was told in June that there was no money left for the public sector, even for the health network. That's why it had resigned itself to consulting its 60,000 members to take the latest offer.
The bonuses offered Thursday by the Legault government to bring nurses back into the public network angered APTS members, who do related work, Comeau said. He warns they are now ready to strike again.
- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Sept. 24, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Post presents union with 'framework' to reach deal as strike continues
Canada Post says it has presented the union representing some 55,000 striking postal workers with a framework to reach negotiated agreements.
PM Trudeau 'surprised' provinces unanimous on accelerated defence spending: Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his fellow provincial leaders are united in pushing for Canada to meet its NATO defence spending targets ahead of schedule, and that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was "surprised" to hear it.
One man dead after shooting at Kitchener's 'A Better Tent City'
One man is dead after an afternoon shooting at 49 Ardelt Ave. in Kitchener.
Poilievre calls for asylum seeker cap, border plan as U.S. tariff threat looms
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has demanded the federal government present a plan before Parliament to beef up border security as U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatens to impose stiff tariffs on Canada.
Immigrants take to the streets to protest against the freezing of immigration programmes
In response to the freeze on immigration programmes announced by Ottawa, an organization that defends the rights of immigrants is organising a demonstration in front of the Montreal office of the Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration early on Saturday afternoon.
Watch: Noisy throng of sea lions frolic near Jericho Beach
A large swarm of California sea lions have converged in the waters near Vancouver’s Jericho and Locarno beaches.
'Moana 2' sails to a record US$221 million opening as Hollywood celebrates a moviegoing feast
'Moana 2' brought in a tidal wave of moviegoers over the Thanksgiving Day weekend, setting records with $221 million in ticket sales, according to estimates.
Shoppers continue indulging in Black Friday sales, but mostly online
Despite retailers offering holiday discounts earlier than usual this year, U.S. consumers did more shopping on Black Friday than the days leading up to it.
Questions arise about effectiveness of body-worn police cameras in Canada
Questions surrounding the death of a man by Winnipeg police are rekindling conversations around the need for officers to wear body cameras.