Quebec public sector deal includes salary increases, hike in retirement age

Could the end be in sight to the Quebecpublic sector strikes that have led to school closures and province-wide walkouts?

Theagreement-in-principle struck between the Quebec government and the common front of public sector unionsincludessalary increases and a one-yearincreasein retirement age, according to Radio-Canada sources.

The tentative deal was struck following a 13-hour negotiationblitz on Thursdaybetween Treasury Board PresidentMartinCoiteuxand union leaders of the Common Front.

• Quebec and public workers unions reach agreement-in-principle
• Tens of thousands take to Montreal streets in latest public sector strike

Premier PhilippeCouillardtold CBC Montreal'sDaybreakthat both parties had to compromise to reach an agreement.

"At the end of the day, it's a good good deal for the taxpayers for the patients in thehospitals, for the kids in the schools and their parents and also for our public sector employees," he said Friday.

The Common Front,a coalition of Quebec public sector unions including some of those representing teachers and health care workers, represents 400,000of 550,000 state employees.

If the deal is accepted by union membersthen the tentative strike days for themajority of English-language teachers could be lifted.

Salary increases and a change to retirement age

The salary increases could amount to as much as aneight or nine per cent over a five-year period, according to Radio-Canada.

The tentative deal includes:

• 2015: A flat rate of approximately$500
• 2016: 1.5 per cent
• 2017: 1.75 per cent
• 2018: 2 per cent
• 2019: A flat rate of approximately $250

In 2019, most public sector workers would see an additional increase as high as 2.4 per centbased on adjustments tosalary-scale inequities.

The tentative deal would also raise retirement age from 60 to 61.Quebec initially proposed to push the retirement age to 62.

The two sides started off "light years"apart, with unions demanding a 13.5 per cent pay increase over three years. The government proposed a three per cent increase over fiveyears.

Thousands still without a deal

Other unions, meanwhile,are still in the midst of negotiations.

TheFdrationautonomedel'enseignement (FAE), which represents 34,000 French-language teachers,is still without an agreement. Talks resumed between Quebec and the group earlier this week but there is no deal yetwhich means that there could be strike days and cancelled school daysin the future.

The Syndicat regroupant l'ensemble des professionnels du gouvernement du Qubec (SPGQ), which represents white collar workers, has also not reached a deal with the government.

Earlier this month, theFdrationinterprofessionnellede lasantduQubec(FIQ), which represents the majority of Quebec nurses, reached a deal concerning work conditions but not salary.