News

Longueuil – The APTS (Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux) announced today that it has filed an official complaint against Santé Québec for interference with union activities for the non-payment of negotiated premiums. Despite a signed agreement and clear commitments, thousands of health and social services professionals and technicians are still waiting for the amounts due.

“It’s been exactly four months that the government has been postponing the payment of the promised premiums,” said APTS president Robert Comeau. “We’ve tried different approaches and filed grievances in every institution involved, but the response is always the same: empty promises. Meanwhile, our members, who are holding the system together, are still waiting.”

These premiums, obtained after more than a year and a half of difficult negotiations, are designed to bring reinforcements to support teams working under demanding conditions — evening, night and weekend shifts, youth protection, critical care, psychiatry and many other essential sectors. But despite the October 5, 2024 deadline, Santé Québec still hasn’t paid them.

An injustice for employees

“This delay is a slap in the face for health and social services professionals and technicians, who were counting on these premiums to make ends meet, as budget cuts spread through the public system,” said Joël Bélanger, APTS vice-president and political officer responsible for provincial bargaining talks. “We’re talking about thousands of people working under demanding conditions who, despite their efforts, see their employer continue to break its word.”

The APTS demands the immediate payment of amounts due, with interest, as well as reparations for the harm caused. It notes that a similar situation occurred with the payment of premiums for youth protection workers after the previous collective agreement was signed in 2022. Health and social services managers should have learned from that and done what was needed to prevent history from repeating itself.

“The government and Santé Québec need to quit making excuses and fulfil their responsibilities,” said Robert Comeau. “Our 65,000 members are entitled to demand that their employer — the largest in Québec — honour its commitments. We will use any means necessary to see that it does.”

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.