Quebec lawyers, notaries' union meets with government for last-minute bargaining session

A last-ditch effort is underway to reach a negotiated settlement between the Quebec government and its unionized lawyers and notaries, who have been on strike for more than four months.

The two sides opened another bargaining sessionlate Monday afternoon, just moments before the Couillard government tabled back-to-work legislation.

Unless a deal is reached, the bill will come up for a vote on Tuesday, forcing an end to the strike.

• Quebec accused of heavy-handed bargaining by striking lawyers

"It takes two to tango," said Treasury Board President Pierre Moreau, adding that the government has always wanted a negotiated settlement.

"If there is a real intention on their part to negotiate then it is possible. It's the first option as far as the government is concerned. That's why we are using this [time]until tomorrow afternoon for a negotiation."

• Strike of Quebec lawyers, notaries leaves provincial lawmakers in the lurch

The 1,100 legal professionals, represented by the union Les avocats et notaires de l'tat qubcois (LANEQ), have been on strike since October. They have been without a collective agreement for a year and a half.

Union president Jean Denis said the government's offer tobargainunder the tight deadline is in bad faith.

"They put a gun to our temple because Mr. Moreau said to us, 'You have 24 hours to reach an agreement because, after that, you will have a special law,'" Denis said.

Strike affecting National Assembly work

Moreau said action is needed urgently because the strike is starting to have an impact on services, such as processing compensation claims to the SAAQ (Quebec's automobile insurance board) and legislative work at the National Assembly.

The province, which has already settled with Quebec's 450,000 civil servants, said it has offered government lawyers the same salary as its Crown prosecutors. The union disputes that claim.

The lawyers also want to negotiate a special status within the civil service. The province said it wants to reach a settlement before having those discussions.

• Quebec government lawyers and notaries vote to strike

Opposition upset with delays

Nicole Lger, Treasury Board critic for the Parti Qubcois, said the Couillard government is acting in a "disrespectful and irresponsible" way, and that passing legislation forcing the lawyers back to work will "break the trust" between both parties.

Coalition Avenir Quebec Leader Francois Legualt said the situation has dragged on too long and the premier should be involved in settling the negotiations, as opposed to leaving them to Moreau.

"I think we see a total lack of leadership from Mr. Couillard. For fourmonths, he has refused to meet with union representatives. It doesn't make sense because it's an important part of the government," Legault said.

The Quebec Bar issued a statement Fridaycalling for mediation.

"The labour dispute has been going on for four and a half months: it's enough," said chair of the Quebec Bar Claudia P. Prmont.

"The parties must agree. We are deeply convinced that a neutral and independent mediator will facilitate the achievement of a satisfactory settlement to both parties."