Female lawyers at the Ombudsman’s Office in Montreal and Quebec City have launched an indefinite strike, comprising a team of six members who are all part of the union Les Avocats et notaires de l’État québécois (LANEQ). The primary issue at hand is the demand for pay parity with public service attorneys, a matter the union attributes to the Quebec government’s resistance.
LANEQ’s president, Alexis Milette, voiced concern over the situation, emphasizing the importance of the Ombudsman’s Office maintaining independence from the government. He criticized the government’s control over negotiations and the disparity in pay offered to the Ombudsman’s lawyers compared to their public service counterparts.
In response, the Ombudsman’s Office stressed its autonomy in fulfilling its duties independently, while acknowledging administrative ties to government guidelines on financial management and working conditions.
Despite the strike, the Ombudsman aims to uphold services for the public, particularly concerning complaints related to health, social services, and government entities in Quebec.
Negotiations are ongoing as the strike continues.
