Nunavik teachers union files complaint over ‘bad faith’ bargaining

Nunavik’s teachers union is accusing Kativik Ilisarniliriniq and Quebec government of using bad faith negotiations as the three parties attempt to negotiate a collective agreement for around 450 educators. (Photo by Cedric Gallant)

The union representing teachers in Nunavik has filed a formal complaint against Kativik Ilisarniliriniq and Quebec’s Ministry of Education, accusing them of using bad faith in negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement.

“[Negotiations] have not moved in months and we have no answers to our demands,” said Larry Imbeault, president of the Association of Employees in Northern Quebec, in a French interview.

“We had no choice but to use this option.”

The complaint was sent to Quebec’s administrative workers tribunal, a labor law body tasked to hasten reconciliation and help organizations reach settlements, on March 11.

It alleges that by refusing to offer answers, counter-proposals or participate in negotiations, the province and school board are transgressing their obligation to negotiate in good faith.

The complaint lays out a detailed recount of events from the union’s perspective, since the collective agreement expired March 31, 2023.

Kativik Ilisarniliriniq, the union and the Quebec government have been in negotiations to renew a collective agreement since Oct. 31, 2022. Around 450 Nunavik educators fall under the agreement.

The union called for a brief strike in December, which ran from Jan. 16 to Jan. 21 this year.

Since then, the union says, only one brief meeting has happened by videoconference. The union brought a new document that explains the need for bonus premiums, which have not been updated since 2001 for Nunavik teachers.

The school board did not provide a response to the demand and said it did not know when it would be able to, the union says.

A meeting was planned for March 14, but the school board has not confirmed attendance.

The union has also asked the school board to provide a meeting calendar for the period between May and December 2025, a response to the union’s demands, and $60,000 to compensate for legal fees and punitive damages.

“At the moment, we are focusing on legal means to get things moving,” said Imbeault. “We don’t think strikes will get things moving because we have the impression that it did not shake the school board.”

Imbeault said he is worried the lingering negotiations will drag into the next school year, which could impact how many educators choose to come back and work in Nunavik.

“I am scared that [the negotiations] will demotivate people to stay at the school board,” he said.

Kativik Ilisarniliriniq spokesperson Jade Bernier declined to comment on the situation.