Urgent Talks Resume: Quebec Paramedics Strike Continues Amid Stalemate

BREAKING: Negotiations between Quebec officials and the CSN union representing 3,300 paramedics are at a standstill, raising the likelihood of extended strike actions. The two sides are currently divided over necessary concessions for paramedics to secure a higher wage increase than what Quebec has proposed.

According to Jean Gagnon, spokesperson for the pre-hospital sector at FSSS-CSN, the ongoing deadlock means that more months of strike action could be on the horizon. Essential services remain operational, but the paramedics’ strike tactics have largely taken the form of administrative pressure.

Quebec has offered a 17.4% wage increase over five years, which aligns with the union’s demands but is contingent upon concessions from paramedics. The union has been without a collective agreement since March 31, 2023. Gagnon emphasizes that while the union is open to negotiations, there is a fundamental disagreement over the nature of these concessions.

“We attempted a three-week negotiation blitz in July, but it was clear that the representatives at the table were not authorized to reach an agreement,” Gagnon stated. This statement reflects the frustration felt by paramedics as they seek a resolution.

The next round of talks is scheduled for September 5, with Gagnon expressing hope that negotiators will arrive with the necessary authority to finalize a tentative agreement. He insists that the wage increase should reflect what has been granted to the broader public sector in previous negotiations.

“What’s holding things up is that we want the same wage increases granted to the public sector in the last round of talks,” Gagnon explained. He also pointed out the lingering issues from past negotiations, including a 5% wage advance that paramedics accepted due to disagreements over salary determination.

In response to Quebec’s proposal to increase penalties for early retirement before age 60, Gagnon criticized the move as unproductive. “We need to settle this once and for all. It’s not just about that 5% advance—we need to agree on the final value of a paramedic’s wage,” he asserted.

As tensions rise, paramedics plan to increase their visibility over the coming weeks, signaling their determination to be heard until a deal is reached. “We’ll make sure we’re heard until we get a deal,” Gagnon vowed.

Stay tuned for updates as negotiations resume and the situation develops. The outcome of these talks could significantly impact the working conditions and pay for paramedics across Quebec.