The outcome of the lengthy negotiations to renew the collective bargaining agreements for several paramedic unions remains uncertain, as those working for Urgences-santé have just rejected the tentative agreement that had been reached.
These negotiations involve paramedic ambulance technicians who are members of several unions affiliated with the Fédération de la santé et des services sociaux (FSSS), which is affiliated with the CSN.
The federation had reached a tentative agreement at the end of July to renew the collective bargaining agreements for its various unions.
Members of the various union certification units must vote on this tentative agreement by Aug. 16. However, those working for Urgences-santé, which serves Montreal and Laval, have just rejected the agreement by a 60 per cent margin.
However, the FSSS stated on Monday that this vote is subject to a double-majority rule. It must therefore secure a majority of the affected union certification units and a majority of members within each certification unit. The overall fate of the agreement is therefore not yet sealed, despite its rejection by Urgences-santé paramedics, the federation said.
The dispute centered primarily on compensation.
These collective bargaining agreements expired on March 31, 2023.
A strike began in July 2025, but it went largely unnoticed by the public, since most of the tasks performed by paramedics are considered essential services.
Other industrial action had been suspended when the tentative agreement was reached, following intensive negotiations held from July 20 to 25 of this year.
The FSSS represents approximately 3,300 paramedics employed by some 30 employers. Other labor unions also represent paramedics working for cooperatives or ambulance companies throughout Quebec.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
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