Quebec Paramedics Persist in Fighting
for Just Demands

Paramedics participate in rally outside the Coalition Avenir Québec leadership convention,
April 12, 2026

The following was published in the Confederation of National Trade Unions (CSN) #35 March information bulletin on the negotiations of Quebec paramedics.

Yesterday, the CSN unions representing 3,300 paramedics across Quebec met in Quebec City for a sectoral federal council meeting to take stock of the state of negotiations and the next steps in the mobilization plan.

First, the bargaining committee outlined the situation at the negotiation table. The employer's latest offer, dated February 20, 2026, was presented.

Delegates at the council voted unanimously to reject it. Among the reasons for this rejection are:

- The government's complete refusal to recognize the true value of our work;

- The government's intention to stop compensating for work overload;

- The government's refusal to grant us the conditions negotiated with the Common Front in the health and social services network, particularly regarding evening, night, and weekend premiums, as well as overtime pay.

Let us recall that at the end of the last negotiation meeting, the conciliator invited the negotiators from both sides to consult with their respective mandates. For members of our bargaining committee, this was an opportunity to confirm that we remain firmly united behind them as they explain to the employer that the offers currently on the table do not allow for the conclusion of a satisfactory agreement.

We remain focused on improving working conditions and wages, the only real way to ensure the retention of paramedics and the sustainability of services to the population.

Action

To support the return of our bargaining committee to the negotiating table and convince the employer that it is in its interest to respond to our priority demands, strong mobilization will be crucial.

In this regard, the unions adopted the following resolution:

- That the unions in the prehospital sector of the Federation of Health and Social Services-CSN continue actions aimed at maintaining and increasing pressure for as long as necessary to obtain a satisfactory agreement;

- That our mobilization efforts target both political elements and disruptions in workplaces, without endangering the credibility of paramedics or patient safety;

- That our mobilization follow a logic of escalating pressure;

- That we continue our efforts to limit individual actions that weaken us;

- That unions maintain dialogue with their members in order to strengthen unity and cohesion.

Stay the Course!

This negotiation is proving to be very difficult. Far too long for nothing... But our mobilization so far has not been in vain. By calling on decision-makers, staging high-profile actions, speaking out, and ensuring our negotiations are talked about by every possible means, we are making a satisfactory settlement with us an increasingly attractive option for our counterparts.

Coalition Avenir Québec elected officials are not indifferent to the situation, despite what they claim publicly. Our on-the-ground mobilization and our media initiatives have generated more than 300 articles in major Quebec newspapers and around one hundred radio and television reports across Quebec since the beginning of 2026. That's an average of four media appearances every day!

The public is becoming increasingly aware that the future of the sector is at stake in this negotiation. All of this is made possible by our daily mobilization.

We must continue in this direction and go further, strike harder. Our mobilization committee already has several new projects in mind.

Stay tuned!

To find all the negotiation information bulletins click here.

(Translated from original French by TML. Photo: A. Querry)

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This article was published in

Volume 56 Number 20 - April 15, 2026

Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/TML2026/Articles/T560205.HTM

Website:  www.cpcml.ca   Email:  editor@cpcml.ca