The 26,000 members of the public service of the Union of Professionals of the Government of Quebec (SPGQ) approved 95% of the agreement in principle reached a few weeks ago with the government for the renewal of the collective agreement.
It was one of the last unions to come to an agreement with the government. The participation rate was 83%.
These professionals occupy positions such as computer analysts, inspectors, accountants and biologists.
The collective agreement expired on March 31, 2023. The agreement covers working conditions and salary issues.
An exercise in compromise
The president of SPGQGuillaume Bouvrette, judge satisfactory
the agreement with the employer and believes that the employees have made significant gains
by press release.
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Guillaume Bouvrette, president of the Union of Professionals of the Government of Quebec (Archive photo)
Photo: Facebook/SPGQ
He mentions in particular an increase in the employer contribution to group insurance greater than what was obtained by the Common Front
.
However, he is critical of compromise
on the fact that the teleworking policy remains unconventional and the absence of leave intended for victims of domestic violence
.
We are not giving up and we will continue our efforts with a view to the next negotiation.
The highlights of the agreement, according to SPGQ :
-
Salary increases of 17.4% over 5 years (6% in 2023, 2.8% in 2024, 2.6% in 2025, 2.5% in 2026 and 3.5% in 2027);
-
Adjustment clause according to the consumer price index (CPI);
-
The maximum age for participation in the pension plan increases from 69 to 71;
-
Addition of vacation days for people who have at least 15 years of seniority (15 years: 21 working days, 16 years: 22 working days; 17 years: 23 working days; 18 years: 24 working days; 19 years and over : 25 working days);
-
Significant increase in the employer’s contribution to group insurance;
-
Teleworking: obligation to consult the union before any change to the policy and discussion of the application in the ministerial professional relations committees.
-
Salary increase of 0.5% on 18e level for all concerned.
THE SPGQ presents itself as the largest professional staff union in Quebec
representing approximately 35,000 specialists, 000 in the public service, 6,000 at Revenu Québec and 3,000 in health, higher education and in state corporations”,”text”:”including nearly 26,000 in the public service, 6,000 at Revenu Québec and 3,000 in health, in higher education and in state corporations”}}”>including nearly 26,000 in the public service, 6,000 at Revenu Québec and 3,000 in health, higher education and state corporations
.
With information from The Canadian Press
