At the end of the in-person meeting that was scheduled to allow the union leaders gathered within the Common Front – CSN, FTQ, CSQ, and APTS – and the Treasury Board President, Sonia LeBel, to "talk directly with each other," CSQ representative Eric Gingras spoke very briefly to the media on Wednesday, simply stating that the two parties had a good discussion, covered all topics, assessed the situation, and that negotiations are ongoing.

For his part, the Treasury Board President's office announced in writing that the meeting was constructive. It was important to sit together at this stage to assess the negotiations. We reaffirmed our goal of reaching a settlement by the end of the year. No further comments will be made.

This meeting comes at a time when the Common Front, which represents about 420,000 workers from various sectors, announced on Tuesday at least seven new days of strike, from December 8 to 14, while simultaneously warning that the next step would be an indefinite general strike.

The President of the Quebec Federation of Labour FTQ, Magali Picard, returned from Dubai, where she was scheduled to participate in COP28, as did the other three leaders of the Common Front, François Gendron (Confederation of National Trade Unions CSN). Also participating in the meeting were Eric Gingras (Centrale des Syndicats du Québec CSQ) and Robert Comto (Alliance of Technical and Professional Employees in Health and Social Services APTS), as well as the government's chief negotiator.

Also earlier yesterday, Prime Minister François Legault said he was pleased to see the two parties sitting at the same table. He reiterated that the government is ready to improve its offer, provided there is progress on the fundamental issues of the negotiations.

"We must find opportunities in work organization, so I will assess the situation with [the Common Front leaders] today," Sonia LeBel commented upon her arrival at the National Assembly.