Quebec health-care workers began a two-day strike on November 8 as contract negotiations with the provincial government stalled. Representing 80,000 workers, including nurses, licensed practical nurses, respiratory therapists, and other health professionals, the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé (FIQ) is responsible for the strike, which has affected the majority of health-care facilities throughout the province. Essential services will be maintained during the strike, but the Health Department warned that some non-urgent surgeries may be postponed.
The government is currently negotiating with unions representing hundreds of thousands of public sector workers, including the FIQ. However, the latest contract offer from Quebec was rejected by the unions. The offer included a 10.3 percent salary increase over five years and a one-time payment of $1,000 to each worker. Instead, labour unions are demanding a three-year contract with annual increases tied to the inflation rate. This would involve a two percentage point increase above inflation in the first year or $100 per week, followed by three points higher in the second year, and four points higher in the third.
Following the two-day strike, the FIQ announced plans to hold two more strike days on November 23 and 24. Several other public sector unions are also preparing to strike, with four major unions already having walked off the job for one day on November 6, and promising to strike again between November 21 and 23. Furthermore, the FAE union, which represents around 65,000 Quebec elementary and high school teachers, has declared an unlimited general strike starting on November 23.