A FORCE FOR DATA PROCESSING PERSONNEL

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Gary Perry
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1 A FORCE FOR DATA PROCESSING PERSONNEL #forcecsn incontournable.info

YOUR CHOICE In a few months, data processing personnel and all employees in the health and social services network will need to make an important decision: choose the union organization that will

2 YOUR CHOICE In a few months, data processing personnel and all employees in the health and social services network will need to make an important decision: choose the union organization that will represent them in the coming years. We have prepared this document to help you make an informed decision and hope it will guide you in making your choice. WE HOPE YOU LL FIND READING IT WORTHWHILE!

3 A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH CSN 71% CSQ 1% SCFP-FTQ 12% SQEES-FTQ 3% Union representation for office personnel and administrative technicians and professionals UNION REPRESENTATION FOR OFFICE PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATIVE TECHNICIANS AND PROFESSIONALS A vast majority of office personnel and administrative technicians and professionals in the health and social services network has chosen the CSN. Three-quarters of the sector s employees, particularly technicians, specialized computer technicians, analysts, specialized analysts and data processing operators are CSN members. Building on such a strong membership, the CSN has been fighting side-by-side with these workers so that their dedicated, often behind-thescenes work is recognized for what it s worth. The CSN s top priorities include improving data processing personnel working conditions and defending their right to a place in the public health and social services network. Graph: Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux

4 THE CSN IN THE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES The CSN 47% + than WORKERS On the union stage, the CSN is the union organization that represents the most workers in health and social services. These workers are from all four of the network s personnel categories, which gives us a great advantage. FIQ 24% FTQ 12% APTS 11% CSQ 3% 4

WHY CHOOSE THE CSN? GASTON LESSARD Specialized Computer Technician Centre Jeunesse de l Estrie I LIKE THAT MY OPINIONS ARE HEARD AT ALL LEVELS: LOCALLY, REGIONALLY AND NATIONALLY.

5 WHY CHOOSE THE CSN? GASTON LESSARD Specialized Computer Technician Centre Jeunesse de l Estrie I LIKE THAT MY OPINIONS ARE HEARD AT ALL LEVELS: LOCALLY, REGIONALLY AND NATIONALLY. At the CSN, there are debates, and everyone knows they can give their opinion without getting a slap on the wrist if some disagree with it. Decisions are made through consultation and are not imposed by higher-ups. Everyone s voice is heard. The strength of CSN unions also lies in how close they are to their members. Local executive bodies are visible and close to the workers. The people in my union know me and I know them. It s not like that everywhere. 5

6 THE CSN, DEFENDING OUR WORKING CONDITIONS OVER THE YEARS, THE CSN has innovated while playing a leading role in negotiations. Most notably, it created the Common Front and, through its persistence, acquired the outstanding features found in our collective agreements: The concept of job title in collective agreements Job security Retirement plans One month of vacation leave after one year Maternity and parental leave Medical arbitration in disability cases... and more. BY CHOOSING THE CSN, data processing personnel are assured to have a strong and influential voice during negotiations. Given its real understanding of data processing personnel working conditions and the fact that it is the largest confederation of unions in Québec, the CSN is indeed a FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH. What s more, the CSN represents the largest number of public sector workers across all sectors NEGOTIATIONS JOINING THE CSN FOR BARGAINING ON OUR OWN TERMS The last round of public sector negotiations led to a major mobilization of CSN healthcare personnel. Although we were unable to reach all the goals we had set, these negotiations nonetheless demonstrated that being a member of the CSN leads to the most gains and having the most clout at the bargaining table. Throughout these negotiations, the CSN played a critical role, both at the bargaining table and in terms of mobilization. Thanks to the CSN s determination, the employer withdrew all its demands for setbacks during sectoral negotiations. Our tenacity enabled us to defend office personnel and administrative technicians and professionals rights on issues such as salary insurance, personnel mobility, attraction and retention measures, leaves of absence and holidays. Our work also earned us a ruling on salary relativity, which translates, among other things, into an improved public sector salary structure and considerable gains for specialized data processing technicians. 6

7 We also made a number of gains at the sectoral bargaining table, including: A CLEAR INCREASE in the number of full-time positions, with a minimum target proportion of 60%. BETTER JOB SECURITY PROTECTION for office personnel and administrative technicians. ONE TO EIGHT WEEKS OF LEAVE with deferred salary for family-workstudy balance. MEASURES TO COUNTER privatization in its various forms, especially subcontracting, fixed-price contracts and public-private partnerships (PPP). RECOGNITION of the fundamental role of office personnel and administrative technicians and professionals in the reorganization of work projects. MEASURES to improve prevention in workplace health and safety. During these negotiations, the CSN also obtained: SALARY INCREASES for public sector personnel averaging 2.4% in 2019, as a result of our salary relativity efforts. RESOLUTION of the regional disparity issue through the reclassification of Kuujjuaq, Whapmagoostui and Kuujjuarapik from Sector III to IV. The City of Fermont was added to the list of localities for which the article in respect of dependent children studying at the post-secondary level will apply. The 8% retention premium applying to the Côte-Nord was maintained, despite the employers desire to eliminate it. The CSN also took the time to have a real debate on the agreement in principle. By deciding to continue the negotiations, we secured additional gains that will benefit office personnel and administrative technicians and professionals. Thanks to our determination, we obtained more than $80 million additional for CSN members, including: AN ADDITIONAL $14.5 million a year contribution to the CSN member group insurance plan. PREMIUMS retroactive to April 1, 2015 for employees working in the Far North. Members of other union organizations were then able to also obtain the gains made by the CSN. In response to governments who use each round of negotiations as an opportunity to attack office personnel and administrative technician and professional working conditions, our best option is to stay united within the largest and most assertive union organization, the CSN NEGOTIATIONS During the 2010 negotiations, the CSN s persistence resulted in many gains, namely in respect of new job titles and the signing of letters of agreement. One of these letters pertained to the standardization of job requirements to eliminate arbitrary selection by employers when seeking to fill positions. 7

JOB RECOGNITION THE GOVERNMENT S BLATANT DISREGARD makes it critical to choose the organization that is the most active in valuing the often underappreciated work of data processing personnel.

8 JOB RECOGNITION THE GOVERNMENT S BLATANT DISREGARD makes it critical to choose the organization that is the most active in valuing the often underappreciated work of data processing personnel. THE CSN IS THE ORGANIZATION that does the most to gain recognition for public-sector jobs in all types of establishments: CLSCs, CHSLDs, hospitals, youth centres, rehabilitation centres and others. It fights for the true recognition of the contributions made by data processing personnel to various teams, particularly those in healthcare. These workers enable access to the information technology required to provide the best services to the population. Direct services to the public are only possible in large part due to data processing services. Without these services, teams would have to perform various administrative tasks rather than provide care and other services. Yet data processing work too often goes unnoticed. 8 That s why the CSN makes every effort to ensure that the work of data processing personnel is recognized for what it s worth. The CSN: DEFENDS the importance of this type of work and public expertise when it comes to support healthcare teams. DENOUNCES public service reliance on private sector for IT services. CALLS FOR public control of all data processing activities, from programming to maintenance, which would increase efficiency and reduce costs. IS PROACTIVE in reviewing job titles, job descriptions, associated requirements, and job title classification so the work of data processing personnel gets more recognition. CREATED a working committee to study staff shortages, attraction and retention problems and salary inconsistencies between sectors.

PROMOTING PUBLIC SERVICES THE MEANING OF SOLIDARITY In order to face the budget cuts and government attacks on the working conditions of the healthcare system workers, it is essential to rally

9 PROMOTING PUBLIC SERVICES THE MEANING OF SOLIDARITY In order to face the budget cuts and government attacks on the working conditions of the healthcare system workers, it is essential to rally together within a strong union organization. The CSN is clearly in the best position to meet the needs of data processing personnel and exert enough pressure to get them what they need to work in the best possible conditions. THE CSN IS THE ORGANIZATION that does the most to promote public services and oppose the Barrette reform and budget cuts. The CSN is firmly against, and works effectively to counter privatization that specifically affects office personnel and administrative technicians. In response to budget cuts and other attacks, the CSN: HAS ESTABLISHED a provincial forum on the future of the public health and social services system. These events brought together most of the network s players who proposed innovative solutions for the future of our public system. LAUNCHED the 2016 Ma place en santé, j y tiens campaign to denounce the dismantling of our public services notably through privatization, service centralization and increased workloads. DEFENDS an overall vision of work organization where all public network personnel play an essential role. For the CSN, the network needs to put data processing personnel expertise to better use to improve the quality of public services. DENOUNCES attacks on administrative work such as were levelled through Bill 100, which aimed to limit the place of office and administrative personnel in the network. 9

LOCALLY BASED UNION STRUCTURES CSN DATA PROCESSING PERSONNEL are being forced to choose a union to represent them in coming years due to the Couillard government s adoption of Bill 10.

10 LOCALLY BASED UNION STRUCTURES CSN DATA PROCESSING PERSONNEL are being forced to choose a union to represent them in coming years due to the Couillard government s adoption of Bill 10. OBVIOUSLY, one of the government s objectives is to see the rise of megaunions that will be distant and disconnected from the healthcare system workers reality. The CSN and its federations will not fall into this trap. The FSSS CSN is therefore proposing a locally-based union structure to promote regular contact between workers and their union representatives so the latter can answer workers questions and provide support in defending their interests. This type of structure makes it easier for data processing personnel to participate in discussions on issues that affect them. It will also enable all network workers to unite and make progress together to protect their jobs and public services. To move forward, we must both acknowledge diversity and build on solidarity, which is what the CSN does best. 10

BETTER JOB RECOGNITION FOR DATA PROCESSING PERSONNEL For several years now, the CSN has been leading the fight to increase recognition of the work done by data processing personnel.

11 BETTER JOB RECOGNITION FOR DATA PROCESSING PERSONNEL For several years now, the CSN has been leading the fight to increase recognition of the work done by data processing personnel. FOLLOWING THE CSN S EFFORTS, the Specialized computer technician title was created in 2005 and that of Specialized computer analyst, in We are currently working on introducing new job titles in the sector. BETTER RECOGNITION FOR DATA PROCESSING PERSONNEL EXPERIENCE The CSN is also fighting for the recognition of acquired experience to enable access to better paid jobs. BETTER SALARY RECOGNITION Clearly, attraction and retention issues are closely related to the question of salary. The CSN will press on with the work already begun on this matter. ALWAYS VIGILANT, THE CSN will fight the battles needed to ensure the fair recognition of the work, experience and value of these jobs. 11

12 A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH Bargaining Mobilization Environmental health and safety CSN SERVICES CONSULTANTS AND OFFICE STAFF IN ALL REGIONS OF QUÉBEC The CSN is, without a doubt, the union confederation that offers the broadest range of member services. Unlike other union organizations, these services are all covered by union dues. Research Advocacy for work injuries Communications #forcecsn Training Legal services incontournable.info Actuary services Auditing and accounting Production : CSN. Photo : Michel Giroux. Illustrations : Marie-Claude Doyon.

A FORCE FOR AUXILIARY SERVICES PERSONNEL

A FORCE FOR AUXILIARY SERVICES PERSONNEL #forcecsn incontournable.info YOUR CHOICE In a few months, auxiliary services personnel and all employees in the health and social services network will need to