This fall, the Fédération des travailleuses et travailleurs du Québec (FTQ) is speaking out against the latest Liberal budget and its devastating effects on workers and the general population. The FTQ created a leaflet called Le Québec que nous voulons (the Quebec we want) that will serve as a basis for discussion at the union’s general assemblies and district council meetings.
Quebec Finance Minister Bachand’s latest budget is overridden with bad decisions including random cuts in public services, health care fees, and the abolition of joint community-based organizations.
The leaflet is the FTQ’s appeal to elected officials, in all levels of government, to push the Charest government to back down.
The union’s first victory was getting Quebec to renege on the health care user fees, but the plan to impose a health contribution and other irresponsible cuts are still on the horizon.
This campaign is about maintaining social solidarity. In order to get the message across, district councils will be setting up visits from Members of the National Assembly this fall.
Furthermore, the province’s four labour federations are teaming up with student associations, progressive economists, doctors in favour of public health care, and Quebec’s Coalition Against User Fees and the Privatization of Public Services. These groups are already planning to join forces at several events over the coming months.