Public-sector contract talks | Front commun widens as APTS becomes a member

September 28, 2022

Montréal – At the beginning of a new round of negotiations to renew public-sector collective agreements, the Front commun is proud to announce that the APTS (Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux) is now joining its ranks, which already include the CSN (Confédération des syndicats nationaux), the CSQ (Centrale des syndicats du Québec), and the FTQ (Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec). The Front commun now represents over 420,000 workers and will speak on their behalf in contract talks with the next government.

“The arrival of the APTS as a member of the Front commun shows how strong the solidarity is between our organizations,” says APTS president Robert Comeau. “It also shows how determined we are to get better pay and working conditions for our members, in order to improve their standard of living and provide Quebecers with accessible, high-quality public services.”

Comments on APTS membership in the Front commun also came from François Enault, CSN 1^st vice-president in charge of public and parapublic contract talks; CSQ president Éric Gingras; and FTQ president Daniel Boyer. “We’re proud that APTS workers have joined the Front commun,” say these union leaders. “In our view, upcoming contract talks will be the next government’s first opportunity to revitalize our public-sector systems, all of which have been under extreme pressure as a result of the pandemic and the labour shortage. Significant improvements in pay, working conditions, and conditions of practice will be key elements in attracting new employees and retaining employees with expert knowledge.”

Front commun demands are designed to meet these challenges, and will be presented this fall when they are tabled with the Treasury Board. Public-sector collective agreements are set to expire on March 31, 2023.

About the Front commun

Together, the CSN, the CSQ, the FTQ and the APTS represent over 420,000 public sector workers employed by the Québec government in education, health, social services, and higher education.