– During the signing of the collective agreement on June 7, 2024, the unions agreed with the government on the implementation of or improvements to a significant number of premiums to be added to base pay to ensure that workers in the health and social services sector would be fairly compensated.  

Even though those affected are keeping the system afloat, CAQ is struggling to meet its commitments for the nth time and is blaming its computer system for the delays.

The negotiated premiums are an integral part of the collective agreements and should have applied no later than October 5, 2024. However, none of these premiums have yet to take effect, and retroactive payments have also not been made.

“It’s a matter of priority. Workers get up every morning to keep the system going, and the delays in paying them what they’re owed speaks to a lack of respect and recognition. At a time when it was revealed that management personnel transferred to Santé Québec had received an immediate 10% pay bump, this drives up the frustration felt by our members even more,” explained Fanny Demontigny, president of CPAS-CUPE.

The union made it clear it will continue to keep up all the pressure needed both locally and nationally so that the government takes the necessary steps to resolve the situation quickly and honour its commitments to its employees.

Thousands of workers in the system were also to receive pay equity retroactive payments on October 31, but the government announced earlier this month that it would be backing away from this commitment. In addition, the government is way behind in paying dues refunds to professional orders for the personnel concerned.