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Quebec public sector unions call for one-day strike to be held Nov. 6

Oct 25, 2023 | 10:47 AM

MONTREAL — Quebec’s common front of public sector unions is gearing up for a one-day strike on Nov. 6.

Certain hospitals and regional health boards have begun receiving strike notices for that day, one of those institutions confirmed today.

The unions did not confirm or deny the date, but they received a strike mandate from members on Oct. 17.

The mandate has the support of 95 per cent of members and calls for one-day walkouts before an indefinite strike begins.

The common front is made up of four main unions representing some 420,000 members in the health, education and social services sectors.

Treasury Board President Sonia LeBel is set to table a new contract offer on Sunday in Quebec City, attempting to advance negotiations that have been going on for months.

The unions are seeking a three-year contract with annual increases tied to the inflation rate — two percentage points above inflation in the first year, three points higher in the second and four points higher in the third.

The Quebec government is offering an increase of nine per cent over five years, as well as a lump-sum payment of $1,000 in the first year and other targeted increases that bring the total offer to 13 per cent over five years.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 25, 2023.

The Canadian Press