Nurses' union FIQ strikes tentative deal with Quebec

The federation of labour unionsrepresenting Quebec nurseshas reached a tentative deal with the provincial government over working conditions and job security.

Negotiations between the FdrationInterprofessionnellede laSantduQubec(FIQ) and the government are happening at two different tables one is concerningsalaries and pensions, while the other concernsworking conditions and job security.

On Saturday, FIQ announced it had made significant gains at the second table.

The tentative deal includes a higherratio ofnurses topatients, bonuses for working critical care shifts, and a higher number of full-time positions.

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The FIQ,which represents 65,000 health-care workers acrossthe province, iscalling the tentativedeal historic.

It's one of many public sector unions to hold walkouts to protest stalled contract negotiations with Quebec.

"Not only are we the first group, but we're the biggest group of health care professionals in the province of Quebec. So it's clear that we've paved the way for the negotiations in the health care system," said FIQ treasurerRoberto Bomba.

While that tentative deal is all but signed, the government and nurses are still at odds over pensions and salaries.

The nurses' union wantsa 14.5 per cent raise over three years, the same thing that other public sector workers are asking for. But the province's latest offer was 5.4 per centover five years.

Health MinisterGatanBarrette said today was "a great day" in terms of negotiations and in terms of patient care.

As for the nurses'salaries and pensions"issues of salaries are another table... and discussions under that are undergoing at this time," he said.