Health and social services | Recognition of seniority during a strike: the APTS wins for the fourth consecutive time
March 12, 2025
Longueuil – The APTS (Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux) has achieved a decisive victory for its members and for everyone who is employed in the health and social services system.
An arbitration ruling handed down on February 10 confirms that the CISSS du Bas-Saint-Laurent was not entitled to subtract seniority from employees who provided essential services during the 2021 strike. The ruling is the fourth one favorable to the APTS on this topic, after similar decisions involving the MUHC, the CHUM and the CIUSSS de la Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec.
Despite a sound, unequivocal decision, in the past few hours the employer filed a challenge to bring the dispute before the Québec Superior Court, as it did with the three other cases. The APTS categorically denounces this abuse of process, given that on February 26 the Court already rejected the employer’s challenge to the first arbitration award, concerning the MUHC.
“Four arbitrators, four clear decisions: maintaining essential services during a strike cannot justify a concealed penalty imposed on our members,” said APTS president Robert Comeau. “This judgement confirms once again that the working conditions of employees who provide essential services must be respected.”
The ruling, highly significant in legal terms, reaffirms the fact that rights defined by collective agreements must be respected during strike action for those required to maintain essential services, following the principles set out in charters of rights and freedoms.
The APTS asks the government, Santé Québec and institutions belonging to the public health and social services system to immediately cease these unfair practices, fully recognize the seniority of all persons affected by the issue, and withdraw their challenges to rulings handed down in previous cases.
The APTS
The APTS (Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux) represents more than 65,000 members who play a key role in ensuring that health and social services institutions run smoothly. Our members provide a wide range of services for all Quebecers, including diagnostic, rehabilitation, nutrition, psychosocial intervention, clinical support, and prevention services.
