New working conditions for civil servants in Quebec
Pay raises, an extra week of vacation, and more.
The details of the agreement reached by the Quebec government and the unions of the Common Front, which represents 420,000 public sector employees — including education, health and social services — have been revealed. At the end of December 2023, the parties finally managed to reach an agreement — and now it's known exactly what it was about.
Wages
Union leaders have agreed to a 17.4% wage increase over five years. And the 6% raise in the first year will take place retroactive to April 1, 2023. This is the largest salary increase since 1979.
It's still less than the 20% called for by the Common Front when the workers' strike began, but higher than the 12.7% over five years proposed by the Quebec government in early December. It's also nearly double the 9% proposed by Quebec in the previous year leading up to the strike.
Separate conditions are stipulated for psychologists working in the state systems of health care and education. They will receive a 10% increase in salary.
Social guarantees
The agreement also includes improvements to working conditions, including:
- the right to a 5th week of vacation after 15 years of service;
- phased retirement extended to 7 years;
- an extra day off for expectant parents;
- higher contributions to health insurance plans from employers.
From Jan. 15 to Feb. 19, the Common Front will schedule several general meetings at which members of more than 300 unions will vote to accept or reject the agreement.
