(Montreal) The Early Childhood Workers’ Federation has just filed a lawsuit against the Quebec government over a unilateral pay rise for faculty on October 14.
The FIPEQ, which is affiliated with the CSQ, alleges that it is an impediment to union activities because salary increases are usually part of the terms of negotiation between parties and are not determined unilaterally.
Moreover, these pay rises for faculty were announced amid collective bargaining negotiations.
Article 12 of the Quebec Labor Code stipulates that the employer “does not attempt in any way” to interfere with the activities of the union.
However, as an agent of negotiation, it is up to the union to discuss the working conditions of its members with the employer, recalling FIPEQ in its request to the Administrative Labor Tribunal, which obtained a copy of the Canadian Press.
“Conceal du Treasure and the Minister of Families, by imposing a non-negotiable working condition on the deposit as part of the negotiation process, compel the members represented by the applicants to accept the proposal of this employer as they see fit. Not acceptable, ”FIPEQ and its unions confirmed in their request.
They also recalled that when ministers Sonia Label (Treasure) and Matthew Lakombe (family) announced a pay rise at a press conference on October 14, they defended it with the need to give better salaries to faculty. However, the Union Party argues that the shortage of teachers is long before October 14.
In their complaint of obstruction, FIPEQ and its unions also allege that ministers want to discredit themselves and question their use as a negotiating agent.
“Article 12 of the Labor Code protects FIPEQ-CSQ and the requesting unions from any conduct that could affect their credibility and the interests of their members and, in particular, the interests of academics,” they write.
On October 14, the two ministers announced that they wanted to pay now a portion of the salary increase provided in July, despite months of negotiations with various unions.
It was made clear that the talks would continue anyway. And it.
Negotiations are ongoing
In addition, FIPEQ, which was scheduled to hold another round of talks with government negotiators last Friday, canceled the meeting.
The same thing happened last Wednesday in the case of the Federation of Health and Social Services, an affiliate of CSN.
The two unions are awaiting a government response to their counter proposal, which aims to bring the parties closer together.
Salary and duration of work week are at the heart of the conflict.
Trade unions demand a more generous increase not only for educators, but also for other workers in kindergartens: special educators, kitchen, administration and disinfection workers.
Quebec, however, wants to prioritize faculty because of the shortage and the fact that they are underpaid, by its own admission.
Quebec also wants to encourage faculty to adhere to a 40-hour week rather than 32 to 36 hours. To achieve this, he offers a $ 50 bonus per week.
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