Quebec Health Ministry negotiated in bad faith with unions: Labour tribunal
Major health care unions in Quebec are claiming victory following an Administrative Labour Tribunal (TAT) ruling that states the Health Ministry "negotiated in bad faith" when offering bonuses to employees without consulting union representatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the ruling, handed down on Tuesday, Judge Myriam Bédard found the Comité patronal de négociation du secteur de la santé et des services sociaux (CPNSSS), "the Government of Quebec -- Direction des relations professionnelles -- Treasury Board and Ministry of Health and Social Services contravened articles 12 and 53 of the Labour Code by obstructing union activities and therefore failing to negotiate in good faith."
The Fédération de la Santé et des Services Sociaux (FSSS-CSN), Fédération de la Santé du Québec (FSQ-CSQ), Fédération Interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ), Syndicat Québécois des Employées et Employés de Service (SQEES-FTQ) and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) had filed a complaint with the Tribunal in November 2021.
They denounced the use of ministerial orders and the province's invoking of a state of health emergency to offer bonuses to employees in defiance of their collective agreements.
Most recently, the government announced a $1 billion plan to recruit nurses and more, offering bonuses ranging from $12,000 to $18,000 for full-time work.
However, the unions allege they were not consulted prior to the announcement, and these decisions were made despite the fact that agreements in principle had been reached just a few weeks earlier.
"This government announcement, confirmed in a ministerial order adopted under the guise of a health emergency, is a serious impediment to union activity," Bédard wrote in her decision. "Even if the absence of intention to harm could be demonstrated, which is not the case, it would be necessary to conclude that the government, a seasoned negotiator, could not ignore the consequences."
-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 10, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
U.S. schools turn to artificial intelligence to spot guns as companies press lawmakers for state funds
Kansas could soon offer up to US$5 million in grants for schools to outfit surveillance cameras with artificial intelligence systems that can spot people carrying guns. But the governor needs to approve the expenditures and the schools must meet some very specific criteria.
Air quality advisories issued in 5 provinces, 1 territory
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
Just how bad are ultraprocessed foods? Here are 5 things to know
Many foods fall under the category of ultraprocessed foods, depending on their exact ingredients. This type of food has been studied a lot lately, and the results aren’t great.
No refund for travellers who cancelled flight already scrapped by airline: regulator
Four years on, the controversy over whether airlines owed refunds to passengers after cancelling hundreds of thousands of flights during the pandemic continues to simmer, aggravated by a sluggish, opaque complaints process.
opinion Harry and Meghan's Nigerian adventure: traditional attire to warm welcomes
For her latest column on CTVNews.ca, royal commentator Afua Hagan writes about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's recent visit to Nigeria, calling it a 'deeply meaningful campaign' that was about aligning their ongoing efforts to foster mental-health awareness and promoting the Invictus Games.
'Oh my God, you're my brother': Man in his 70s discovers 6 unknown siblings
After receiving a DNA kit one Christmas from his son-in-law, Hugh McCormick soon discovered that he had six unknown siblings, with whom he shared the same birth parents.
'It happened so fast': Evacuees describe fleeing Fort Nelson, B.C., wildfire
Thousands have been forced to flee a wildfire burning near Fort Nelson. Meanwhile, some experienced volunteers are staying behind to fight the fire.
Rates of cancer declining in Canada, but more work needed to save lives: projections
A new study projecting declining rates of cancer cases and deaths in Canada demonstrates the success of prevention and early detection programs, but also highlights areas where more work is needed to save and prolong lives, researchers say.
DEVELOPING Michael Cohen takes the stand as testimony in Trump hush money case enters 4th week
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial is set to take the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.