The world of work in Quebec was marked by both highs and lows in 2010, with the news reporting a number of successes as well as a few failures. Here are some of the issues that attracted the attention of the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés...
THE TOPS
- Fewer labour disputes: 2010 was the most stable industrial period in 50 years. The number of labour disputes and hours not worked dropped dramatically this year.
- The City of Montreal and its blue collar workers reached a new collective agreement. After three years without an agreement, a record 96.8% of the city’s blue-collar workers accepted the conciliator’s recommendation in late September, marking a first since 1994. Since that date, all collective agreements had been imposed by arbitration or special legislation.
- Labour mobility between Quebec and France: more and more Quebec workers can now work in France and vice versa.
THE FLOPS
- The labour dispute at the Journal de Montréal: the lock out will soon be entering its second year, becoming one of the longest industrial disputes in the past 30 years.
- The introduction of pay equity: after a second extension in 2009, many organizations (although it’s hard to say exactly how many) still haven’t introduced pay equity despite the December 31, 2010 deadline.
- Bill 100 passed: the new Bill chopped training expenses in the health and social services network and in education by 25% at a time when we more than ever need qualified personnel to improve public service efficiency and effectiveness.
