MONTREAL — Negotiations by the Union of Government Professionals are reaching a turning point, as it gives itself two weeks to try to “resolve the impasse” that persists with Quebec.
The SPGQ is currently discussing essential services to maintain in the event of a strike, and will then decide on the next course of action, its president, Guillaume Bouvrette, said in an interview on Tuesday.
The SPGQ, which represents 25,000 professionals employed by various Quebec ministries, has held two different strike mandates since last fall: the first is an evening, night and public holiday strike; the second is a strike which could be divided into minutes, hours, days, or even unlimited.
“By May 24, we hope to have concluded all essential service agreements. That still leaves one or two weeks, roughly speaking, at the negotiating table to try to resolve the impasse. Subsequently, we will have to consider it,” said Mr. Bouvrette.
The latest discussions with the management side highlighted two sticking points, relating to schedules, reports the union leader.
“But we believe that sincerely, if there was a desire to settle, on the part of the government, we would be ready to find solutions to implement the flexibility that is requested on working hours,” adds Mr. Bouvrette.
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