The patience of Quebec Premier François Legault began to run out after the rejection by the Common Front, the Professional Health Union (FIQ), and the Independent Education Union (FAE) of the improved offer unveiled by his government on Wednesday.

When questioned by journalists in the corridors of the National Assembly on the eve of a seven-day strike by 420,000 members of the Common Front, François Legault showed that he was somewhat annoyed by the unions' stance.

He also made it clear that it is important for all Quebec residents to understand that the ongoing negotiations to renew collective agreements will be crucial for the future of the health and education networks.

As he has done many times in recent months, the Premier expressed his regret over the deadlock in collective agreements which, according to him, constitutes the main obstacle to improving the situation of workers and services.

"For decades, we have not been able to improve education and health services because of the deadlock in collective agreements. We are not able to... I will give you an example: if a manager agrees with an employee on a work schedule, it is possible for the union to reject it."

"Often, employees agree to our proposals, but the unions reject them." The Premier continued: "This is the essence of the negotiations." Adding: "It is not normal that our network is managed by the unions and not by the managers."

Legault said the battle will be difficult to regain these administrative powers that the unions have seized over decades. With great hope of soon reaching an agreement on the issues raised at the central table (salaries and pensions, in particular), François Legault believes that the real battle is the battle for the flexibility he demands from union members.

"It will require courage, because the unions have never ceded these powers for decades. What we also want to do, in Bills 15 and 23, is to make managers responsible: first, we give them authority by changing the collective agreements. Second, we make them accountable for the results of Bills 15 and 23. And if we get that, we will finally be able to improve the services provided to the people of Quebec."