News

Rivière-du-Loup – With contract talks to renew their collective agreement stalled, APTS (Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux) members at the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) laboratory came out unanimously in favour of strike action, up to and including an unlimited general strike, at the appropriate moment.

“APTS members at the INSPQ firmly denounce the employer’s demands, which represent unacceptable setbacks and could push them to seek better conditions elsewhere,” said Steve St-Onge, APTS provincial representative, Capitale-Nationale. “With this vote, they are sending a clear message to their employer that they are prepared to stand up to defend their working conditions.”

This massive vote shows the intense frustration of employees — some 40 laboratory technicians — in the face of the INSPQ’s refusal to grant them conditions similar to those in the public health and social services system. This is in addition to the employer’s demands for major steps backwards, including granting overtime after 40 hours rather than 35, as currently set out in their collective agreement and that of the public system, no longer paying for sick leave that is unused at the end of the year and eliminating shifts as the position’s key element, which will affect the stability of schedules.

The APTS stands with its members at the INSPQ

INSPQ employees aren’t alone in their fight. APTS delegates, at a General Council in Rivière-du-Loup on October 9, came out unanimously in support of their INSPQ colleagues in their bargaining and to show solidarity with their pressure tactics, up to and including an unlimited general strike.

“INSPQ laboratory employees provide essential services for public health and the well-being of Quebecers,” said APTS president Robert Comeau. “Their conditions must reflect their expertise. They can count on the support of the APTS to achieve this. Our teams across Québec are behind these members.”

The union is prepared to defend the rights and working conditions of its INSPQ members and hasn’t excluded the possibility of a strike if there no progress in bargaining.

William Molon-Noblot, INSPQ APTS president

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.