The APTS is a labour union representing 65,000 professionals and technicians working in the vast majority of public health and social services institutions across Québec.
Our union brings together expertise that is both extensive and varied: APTS members, 86% of whom are women, hold over one hundred different job titles. The APTS is the only union exclusively representing professionals and technicians in Québec’s public health and social services system, and it is the union representing the great majority of people in this group.
APTS members work in facilities with a variety of missions: hospitals, CLSCs, CHSLDs, youth centres, and rehabilitation centres for people with physical needs, intellectual disabilities or autism spectrum disorder, or addiction issues. In relation to the health and social services system, this means the APTS is in a position to see both the forest and the trees.
APTS national spokesperson
Robert Comeau worked as a medical imaging technologist at the Centre de santé et de services sociaux de Trois-Rivières from 1992 until 2004 when he was elected as a political liaison officer in the newly formed APTS. He was re-elected twice and held this position until 2010. During that period, Robert helped organize the founding APTS convention in 2006 and was active on the steering committee for the conventions in 2008 and 2010.
Even before the APTS was created, Robert served as a local union representative, board member and vice-president of the Syndicat des technologues en radiologie du Québec (STRQ), which was affiliated with the Centrale des professionnelles et professionnels de la santé (CPS). The CPS was one of the founding unions of the APTS.
Before taking the plunge in early 2002 to devote himself to full-time union work and be released from his regular duties, he was also a member of the Ordre des technologues en imagerie médicale et en radio-oncologie et en électrophysiologie médicale du Québec from 1995 to 1999.
Robert first joined the APTS executive committee in 2010. He was initially elected 4th vice-president, then 3rd vice-president, then 2nd vice-president at the 2016 convention. He became 1st vice-president at the convention in 2019. After serving for several months as provincial representative for the Montérégie-Centre region, he returned to the executive committee to support the team. He was appointed interim president by the Provincial Council when the current president went on leave.
With years of experience in decision-making positions at the APTS and a keen awareness of issues involving union democracy, Robert’s contribution when it comes to union organizing, raiding, contract talks and other core issues is invaluable.
Robert’s commitment over the years has always been driven by the desire to improve the working conditions of professionals and technicians and build a broad consensus on the best ways to accomplish that.
Media relations
National | Maxime Clément
514.792.0481
mclement@aptsq.com
The APTS in the news
The APTS publicly defends its members’ interests and fights to ensure that Quebecers receive high-quality, accessible, and publicly-run services.
28/11/2024
18/11/2024
Budget cuts announced | The APTS denounces the return of austerity in health and social services
31/10/2024
Payment of premiums is delayed Government must keep its promises to union members and Quebecers
10/10/2024
INSPQ negotiations | APTS members vote unanimously to strike
09/10/2024
Groupe Medway’s health care facility in Rivière-du-Loup | The APTS says NO to the privatization of health and social services in Québec’s regions
01/10/2024
The APTS obtains additional premiums for youth protection
27/09/2024
All of Québec is mobilizing today to denounce the Legault government’s bad decisions | We demand collective dialogue on the social and environmental transition
06/09/2024
Victory for APTS members in the Outaouais: $22,000 premium extended to medical imaging technologists throughout the region
25/07/2024
Asbestos found in rooms of the Montréal West Island CIUSSS | A ceiling collapsed, narrowly missing an employee, and no action has been taken in a year!
12/07/2024
APTS and Québec government sign agreement to widen access to incentive premium for Outaouais medical imaging technologists
18/06/2024
2024 evaluation of youth protection in Québec: a system hanging by a thread
17/06/2024
Health ministry consultations about medical labs | APTS denounces lack of substantive proposals after more than a year of reflection
07/06/2024
Public sector contract talks | The APTS has signed its collective agreement for 2023-2028
04/06/2024
The APTS responds to the tabling of Bill 67
21/05/2024
Joint statement on the future of medical labs: over twenty partners declare their support for public, high-quality, accessible, and locally available services
06/05/2024
Moving forward for the future of our labs | APTS focus day brings many different partners together
01/05/2024
May Day march | International Workers’ Day: United to make our voices heard
30/04/2024
Medical imaging at risk for service breaks in the Outaouais region | APTS and Québec government reach agreement aiming for parity with Ontario
29/04/2024
DUBÉ REFORM | THE APTS SAYS NEW SANTÉ QUÉBEC BOSS FACES FOUR MAJOR CHALLENGES
17/04/2024
Moving forward for the future of our labs | May 6, 2024: The APTS will bring together actors from every horizon for a focus day
28/03/2024
Whistleblower protection | It’s time to abolish the code of silence in the health and social services system
12/03/2024
2024-2025 Québec budget | The Legault government is setting the stage for a return to austerity, the APTS warns
29/02/2024
Ruling on bad-faith bargaining and interference in union activities | Labour tribunal puts repeat offender government in its place
23/02/2024
Public-sector bargaining talks | The Front commun confirms the adoption of the tentative deal
21/02/2024
The APTS offers its full cooperation with the investigation carried out by Québec’s Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission
14/02/2024
From outrage to action | Collectif 8 mars meets with minister Martine Biron
08/02/2024
Fighting harassment and sexual violence in the workplace (Bill 42) | commendable measures and an unfortunate lack of proactivity
01/02/2024
A major victory for whistleblowers
24/01/2024
Home support services Report on aging well at home | it’s time for the government to make its intentions known
07/01/2024
420,000 Front commun workers now have the floor
28/12/2023
Public-sector contract talks | Proposed tentative deal at the central bargaining table for 420,000 Front commun workers
24/12/2023
Public-sector contract talks | The APTS has reached a hypothetical tentative agreement at the sectoral table
20/12/2023
Public-sector contract talks | Front commun will launch an unlimited general strike early in 2024 unless a deal is reached
10/12/2023
Contract talks in health and social services | Workers have been stretched to the limit for too long
08/12/2023
Government will invoke closure to ensure hurried adoption of Dubé reform | Quebecers’ health and social safety net in jeopardy
08/12/2023
Public-sector contract talks | 420,000 Front commun members begin a 7-day strike
07/12/2023
Government now offering 12.7% | No agreement is possible without a mechanism to protect purchasing power and a catch-up pay increase
30/11/2023
Front commun reacts to ISQ report on remuneration of Québec public service employees | Urgent need for catch-up pay increases
28/11/2023
Public-sector contract talks Front commun announces a 3rd series of strike days from December 8 to 14
24/11/2023
Front commun activists arrested by the SQ and charged with mischief at a demonstration at a CAQ riding office
23/11/2023
Open Letter | Today, we’re making history
23/11/2023
Public-sector contract talks | Front commun demonstration in front of the National Assembly
20/11/2023
Public-sector contract talks | Front commun asks for conciliation
15/11/2023
Health and social services contract talks | Organization of work: government is talking out of both sides of its mouth
09/11/2023
2023 Convention: Robert Comeau reelected as APTS president
06/11/2023
The Front commun will be on strike on November 21, 22 and 23
03/11/2023
Health and social service contract talks | Government puts an end to double rate for overtime pay, fuelling workers’ anger
29/10/2023
Public-sector contract talks | Government makes an insulting offer – again
26/10/2023
Public-sector contract talks | Front commun workers will strike on November 6
20/10/2023
A lighter administrative burden for workers providing home care | Measures look promising if the right conditions are in place
17/10/2023
Historic strike mandate for the Front commun: 95% of members vote yes
26/09/2023
Government statements: Front commun is waiting for concrete outcomes
21/09/2023
Québec Ombudsman’s annual report 2022-2023 | When public services are severely impaired by staff shortages
14/09/2023
Government refuses to extend certain premiums beyond September 30
11/09/2023
Front commun looks ahead to unlimited general strike
29/06/2023
Compensation for biomedical engineering technical coordinators and executive assistants | Government stubbornly committed to acting in bad faith
28/06/2023
Health and social service contract talks | Unions sharply critical of measures that would make working conditions worse
27/06/2023
Public-sector bargaining talks: an update as summer begins
19/06/2023
Three technologists out of five considered leaving the public sector in the past year | APTS des Laurentides sounds the alarm
14/06/2023
Coroner’s report on suicide in Québec | Québec’s public system must provide access to mental health services
13/06/2023
Evaluation of youth protection in Québec: future looks grim for an ailing system
08/06/2023
Bill 15 | Health care unions sharply critical of a bill that will increase centralization and pander to the private sector
01/06/2023
Bad-faith bargaining and interference in union activities: APTS takes the government to court
19/05/2023
The APTS welcomes the reelection of Caroline Senneville as CSN president
13/05/2023
Public-sector contract talks | The Front commun is incensed and ratchets up the pressure
09/05/2023
Bill 15 | The APTS tells the government to change course
01/05/2023
International Workers’Day | Who benefits from inflation? Not us!
30/03/2023
Public sector contract talks | Collective agreements set to expire: As the weather heats up, we’re getting ready to spring into action!
29/03/2023
New health agency Santé Québec | Health reform gets off on the wrong foot
27/03/2023
The Front commun acknowledges Québec’s new offer
23/03/2023
Superior Court dismisses health and social service ministry’s case | Biomedical engineering technical coordinators are finally granted the recognition they deserve
21/03/2023
2023-2024 budget | APTS condemns vote-seeking tax cuts carried out at the expense of public services
17/03/2023
Meeting with Minister Biron | The Collectif 8 mars is left unsatisfied
14/03/2023
Bill on independent labour | The APTS criticizes Bill 10 for its glaring omissions
24/02/2023
OPTILAB | APTS calls for a moratorium on construction of the Montérégie hub lab
23/02/2023
Open letter | Feminist Resistance and the Climate Emergency
22/02/2023
Public-sector contract talks | Vague and disconnected offers to improve mental health services
22/02/2023
International Women’s Rights Day | The CAQ has to quit being afraid of its shadow
16/02/2023
Front commun sets the record straight after government’s misleading statements
16/02/2023
A two-tier lab system | The APTS calls for decentralization
15/02/2023
A bill on independent workers in the health and social services sector | More is needed to stop the hemorrhaging
15/02/2023
Union demonstration at Montréal West Island CIUSSS: “Our employer is living in a fantasy world”
31/01/2023
For the new parliamentary session | APTS presents its checklist for health and social services
25/01/2023
Public-sector contract talks | Government offers rejected by the Front commun
19/01/2023
The APTS welcomes Magali Picard as newly elected president of the FTQ
18/01/2023
Minimum wage increase to $15.25 an hour | Too little too late, says coalition for $18 minimum wage
21/12/2022
Government contract offers in the health and social service sector | Unions don’t want a rerun of the same bad movie
15/12/2022
Front commun reacts to government offers | Making public service workers poorer is worst possible option
11/12/2022
Shortage of psychologists in the public sector - Unions protest lack of government action
08/12/2022
Day of action for youth centres | Youth workers cry out for support: “Are you ever going to help me?”
01/12/2022
Union members ratify historic agreement at Pointe-Saint-Charles Community Clinic
30/11/2022
Unions react to the ISQ report on Québec public service employees’ remuneration : catch-up increases are needed to close the ongoing wage gap
24/11/2022
Shortage of psychologists in the public sector | Unions ask for meeting with five ministers to break the stalemate
02/11/2022
The APTS unveils its demands for better conditions of work and practice
28/10/2022
2023 Negotiations | “Together as one” | The Front commun tables its demands
28/09/2022
Public-sector contract talks | Front commun widens as APTS becomes a member
22/08/2022
Health and social services | repeat offender government is targeted by new complaints
21/07/2022
Overtime paid double to contend with the labour shortage this summer | “Too little, too late,” according to public-sector unions
19/07/2022
1,700 blood tests thrown in the garbage at Hôpital Pierre-Le Gardeur: the APTS is appalled
08/07/2022
Crisis in Gaspé labs | The APTS offers solutions to Minister Dubé
14/06/2022
Laurent Report, one year later: still no real push to set the course straight
01/06/2022
Health and social services: losing pay over COVID-19 is unacceptable
25/05/2022
Contract talks in the public and parapublic sectors | Solidarity protocol concluded by the APTS and the FSSS-CSN
17/05/2022
A strong union for a strong public system | Accessible, sustainable, well-funded, and designed for human beings – the APTS launches a campaign for a better public health and social services system
17/05/2022
Deaths in long-term care homes during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic | The APTS asks the Legault government to act quickly in implementing coroner Géhane Kamel’s recommendations
09/05/2022
Unions in health and social services call for government to engage in dialogue to plan for a better summer
06/05/2022
The APTS denounces limitations of the 2021-2026 action plan for long-term care facilities
04/05/2022
Estates-General on living conditions for seniors | APTS proudly endorses the joint declaration
06/04/2022
Pay equity maintenance: why are payments still delayed, and what is the government waiting for?
01/04/2022
5th anniversary of the OPTILAB system | No lab? No hospital!
31/03/2022
Bill 28 to end the public health emergency | A frontal attack on workers’ rights
30/03/2022
“COVID premiums” for another month: still on the rollercoaster with no permanent solutions in sight
29/03/2022
Health care reform: cooperation required to rebuild the system
22/03/2022
2022 Québec budget: Half measures to attract and retain personnel
28/02/2022
COVID premium | The APTS demands fair treatment for its members
14/02/2022
More delays from the government in paying what health and social services workers are owed | Women to pay the price – again
08/02/2022
Job title: biomedical engineering technical coordinator | The APTS gets a favourable ruling from the arbitrator
08/02/2022
Changes to the Youth Protection Act | The government’s obligation is to make the Act effective
03/02/2022
Pre-budget consultations | Innovative APTS proposal to improve the health and social services system
25/01/2022
Inter-ministerial action plan for mental health | Investments are welcome but may be insufficient
25/01/2022
Public-sector contract talks | APTS signs its new collective agreement
18/01/2022
Coroner’s inquiry into CHSLD deaths | The APTS presents its final recommendations
13/01/2022
Government’s greater openness is welcomed by coalition of health and social service unions
28/12/2021
Keeping employees at work when they test positive for COVID-19 but have no symptoms | Risk management approach likely to harm vulnerable people, as well as professionals and technicians
21/12/2021
Contract talks | Agreement in principle is ratified by 55.3% of APTS members
01/12/2021
Bill 15: An Act to amend the Youth Protection Act and other legislative provisions | APTS will act as a watchdog for the Laurent Commission’s “recommendactions”
26/11/2021
Contract talks | Agreement in principle approved by over 81% of APTS General Council delegates who encourage union members to adopt it in general assemblies
25/11/2021
Contract talks | APTS delegates to consider an agreement in principle at a General Council
24/11/2021
Recommendations in the Ombudsperson’s final report meet with highly favourable response from the APTS
24/11/2021
Implementing the Laurent Report | APTS calls on MNAs to act now
18/11/2021
Robert Comeau elected president at the APTS Convention
18/11/2021
Contract talks | Exasperated APTS delegates stop their Convention to demonstrate
08/11/2021
APTS participates in hearings on CHSLD deaths during the first wave of the pandemic
05/11/2021
Contract talks | Exasperated by slow-paced talks, the APTS occupies a government building
20/10/2021
Public-sector contract talks | The APTS is losing patience
01/10/2021
Contract talks will resume for the APTS
30/09/2021
Reform of the Occupational Health and Safety Act | The APTS rejects Bill 59
24/09/2021
Labour shortage in health and social services | The APTS suspends the process of consulting its members about the renewal of their collective agreement
23/09/2021
Labour shortage in the health system | The APTS takes part in estates-general on the future of clinical labs
22/09/2021
Youth protection assessment: another year marked by work overload
08/09/2021
Medical imaging personnel gear up for action in the face of Legault’s deafening silence
07/09/2021
Mandatory vaccination | Breaks in services? The Legault government doesn’t have a plan
26/08/2021
Mandatory vaccination | When the best is the enemy of the good
25/08/2021
Federal election campaign | The APTS wants political parties to make clear commitments on its priorities
05/08/2021
$1,000 premium for some youth workers | The APTS denounces the government for using the public health emergency as a tool to cope with insufficient numbers of youth protection workers
14/07/2021
Contract talks | APTS members will be presented the government’s global offer
13/07/2021
APTS pay equity complaints from 2010 are finally settled after a 10-year battle to have the government comply with the law
30/06/2021
APTS calls on government to lift the public health emergency
25/06/2021
Contract talks | APTS will submit proposed deal to its General Council
21/06/2021
Contract talks | The APTS steps up the pressure with two more strike days
07/06/2021
Contract talks | The APTS launches a general strike to defend accessible, high-quality health care and social services
20/05/2021
Contract talks | 60,000 APTS members to carry out a general strike on June 7, 8, 21 and 22
13/05/2021
Shortage of lab personnel with a post-secondary diploma | Lab results may not be reliable
03/05/2021
The Laurent Commission | The APTS calls on Legault to act without delay to support children and families
14/04/2021
COVID-19 | Québec must recognize the value of the work carried out by lab personnel
25/03/2021
2021 Québec budget | Nothing to improve working conditions for professionals and technicians battling COVID for the past year
22/03/2021
Documentary on Québec’s youth protection system | The other side of the coin
17/03/2021
The APTS offers its cooperation to Québec’s new provincial youth protection director
26/02/2021
Brutal rent increase in residential facilities | "Penalizing vulnerable people – how is that a good strategy?”
18/02/2021
Private sector contracts for medical imaging | The Legault government is hypocritical
15/02/2021
Death of youth protection workers | The APTS has no words to describe the grief
05/02/2021
Pandemic shows that privatizing mental health services has been a failure
29/01/2021
Aerosols | Minister Dubé’s inconsistency continues to jeopardize workers’ health
21/01/2021
APTS initiates mediation to obtain a negotiated settlement
21/01/2021
A knife in the back for public sector psychologists
30/11/2020
Youth Protection | Commission’s findings and orientations call for immediate and concrete action on the part of the Legault government
26/11/2020
Dangerous increase in wage gap between APTS members and Québec employees as a whole
02/11/2020
Mental health | APTS to Minister Carmant: sustained investment is needed to save the public system
28/10/2020
The APTS welcomes new funding for youth mental health
21/10/2020
The Laurent Commission - Now is the time for the Legault government to commit to implementing the commission’s guidelines
23/09/2020
Youth protection 2020 annual report | We can be “stronger, together” only if urgent need to end work overload is addressed
18/08/2020
COVID-19 | APTS responds to government action plan to tackle second wave
05/08/2020
CISSS Montérégie-Ouest professionals and technicians call for services to be maintained at Hôpital du Suroît’s mother-child centre
25/05/2020
COVID 19 | APTS denounces poor management of the pandemic at the Résidence Angelica
25/05/2020
The APTS presents its brief: Children at the heart of our priorities
08/05/2020
COVID-19 | Conference call with Minister McCann
05/05/2020
COVID-19 | Code of silence in the health and social services system - Action is needed from Minister McCann
15/04/2020
COVID-19 | Red carpet treatment for medical specialists, while health and social services professionals and technicians are thrown a few crumbs
11/04/2020
COVID-19 | APTS calls on Minister McCann to guarantee access to protective equipment for members being sent into CHSLDs
02/04/2020
COVID-19 | Hazard premiums during the pandemic: a first step that needs to be followed by another
29/03/2020
COVID-19 | APTS sends SOS to Legault government
25/03/2020
COVID-19 | Will someone have to die before measures are taken to ensure the safety of our members?
18/03/2020
COVID-19 | The APTS-FIQ alliance will be right there to negotiate all measures
15/03/2020
COVID-19 | The health and safety of all Québecers is the labour unions' priority
28/01/2020
Investments in the Douglas Institute: all funds earmarked for buildings made of concrete, none for personnel
08/07/2019
Illegitimate suspension of local APTS union president - Unacceptable!
01/03/2019
A united Québec front demands that Ottawa implement a public, universal pharmacare plan
15/10/2018
Much needs to be done to improve youth protection services in Montréal, according to the APTS
14/06/2018
APTS opposes the kind of “continuity” chosen by interim director of the Montréal West Island IUHSSC
27/03/2018
2018-2019 budget in health and social services: reinvestment is welcome but targets are unclear
28/02/2018