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 From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Florida deputies who fatally shot U.S. airman burst into wrong apartment, attorney says
Deputies responding to a disturbance call at a Florida apartment complex burst into the wrong unit and fatally shot a Black U.S. Air Force airman who was home alone when they saw he was armed with a gun, an attorney for the man's family said Wednesday.
Air Canada ranks near bottom on customer satisfaction: survey
Air Canada ranks below most other major North American airlines on customer satisfaction, with airfares a particular sore point, according to a new survey.