Defying warnings from Quebec’s powerful unions, Jean Charest’s Liberal government will introduce special legislation Thursday setting the salaries and working conditions of some 460,000 public-sector employees.
Mr. Charest told Quebeckers in a televised address Wednesday night that the gap between the two sides was simply irreconcilable.
“Negotiations have produced what they will produce,” he said.
Baring an unexpected break in deadlocked negotiations with public-sector unions late Wednesday night, Mr. Charest said his government would convene the legislature on Thursday in order to introduce and adopt the special law.
Mr. Charest said Quebeckers have had enough with union protests that have snarled traffic, shutdown government services and left thousands of students out of school.
“Quebeckers expect us to bring an end to this deadlocked confrontation that penalizes them,” the premier said. “The time has come to make a decision, all while considering the general interest of Quebeckers.”
Negotiations with public-sector workers have lasted more than two years. While the government was able to strike deals on non-monetary issues with several unions, salary has remained an obstacle.
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