CUPE, which represents about 100 specialized workers with the Société québécoise des infrastructures, SQI, has asked the Conseil du trésor to renew and improve the shortage premium of its members.
Given the serious and chronic lack of specialized workers in Quebec in general, and with the SQI in particular, the employer and the union filed a joint report with the Secrétariat du Conseil du trésor, SCT, on November 11. It includes a recommendation that the shortage premium for specialized workers with the SQI not only be maintained but hiked from 10% to 15%.
At the same time, workers along with their union, CUPE 2929, have launched an awareness campaign themed “Pas de prime, ça déprime” (No premium, it’s depressing).
According to CUPE and local 2929, it is clear that extensive internal expertise is crucial to maintaining the property assets of the public administration. By ensuring that enough specialized workers are recruited and retained, SQI will achieve significant savings in comparison with outsourcing costs. In addition, this ensures better maintenance of infrastructures over the long term.
“During the latest negotiations with the government, the union common front and the FTQ managed to raise the premium to 15% due to the serious shortage of specialized labour in the trades. We came to an agreement with the employer on some findings of fact and have requested that the Secrétariat du Conseil du trésor implement our union-employer recommendations by January 1, 2025,” explained Sylvain Beaulieu, president of CUPE 2929.
“Offering the private sector a flat rate contract to maintain our buildings is risky. Let’s value our internal employees and preserve our buildings with them,” added Beaulieu.