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
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.