On Monday, Front commun negotiators at the central bargaining table were presented with a comprehensive offer by Treasury Board representatives. The Front commun will take time to study the offer.

At the bargaining session that took place on March 8 – International Women’s Rights Day, as we all know – the government showed an outrageous lack of respect and sensitivity by digging in its heels and refusing to extend premiums that are due to expire on March 31 and September 30, 2023, while other provisions are maintained. This refusal will have a very significant impact on the compensation received by many public-sector workers, including thousands of women, starting April 1.

Who’s not available at the bargaining tables? The government, that’s who. Health minister Christian Dubé last week accused “the unions” of not coming to bargaining tables. This is a falsehood, and one that sends a very bad signal for future bargaining sessions.

The Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN) and its public sector federations are dissapointed that the government continues to negotiate outside of the the agreed negotiation tables. In the middle of a negotiation, a government offer must be brought to the bargaining table, not delivered live on TV or via email. In light of the Treasury Board’s latest offers emailed earlier today, it seems the government needs another reminder.

Education Minister Bernard Drainville has outlined a seven-point plan for improving Quebec’s education system, including the return of a fast-track diploma system to boost the number of legally qualified teachers.

Stretched beyond thin, public services are being buffeted by an unprecedented labour shortage, in addition to record inflation. And faced with this crisis, all the Legault government can think to do is make public sector workers poorer.