Quebec's biggest nurses' union says the government is trying to impose the same working conditions accepted by other public sector unions earlier this month. (CBC)

Quebec's biggest nurses' union, the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec, said Friday it has walked away from the bargaining table.

The group, known as the FIQ, is Quebec's only public sector union that has still not reached an agreement with the province. The FIQ accused the provincial government of refusing to negotiate.

Union officials told a news conference on Friday that the province is trying to impose on the FIQ's members the same working conditions accepted by other public sector unions last week.

FIQ vice-president Michèle Boisclair said the government is refusing to back down on mandatory overtime, even though many nurses already work 16-hour days several times a week.

"We don't judge what the other unions accepted, it's their right to accept what they want," said Boislcair. "But we don't have to go on with that, because for us, it won't solve the problem."

The union presented a new proposal to the government on Wednesday night, but it was immediately rejected, said the union.

The union also charged the government with increasing its reliance on private nursing agencies rather than offering more stable working conditions to nurses from the public system.

"It's finished, the time of … sitting down, talking, having committees, exploring what is going on. It's over," said Boisclair. "We have to act. it's time to act now."

Government is working with union: minister

Health Minister Yves Bolduc rejected the union's claims.

The government is working with the union to improve working conditions for nurses, he said.

But because of the shortage of nurses, he said, the government cannot agree to the union's demand for fewer working hours.

For the same reason, he said, the government cannot put an end to the use of private nurses.

"We will add bonuses for people who will do rotations, for people who will agree to work a certain number of days," said Bolduc. "It is not obligatory — it is optional.

"We want to compensate those who want to contribute more in the health care system."

Bolduc said bonuses would also be given to those who work in critical care, because it is more difficult to recruit personnel in that department.

The FIQ said its members will continue to maintain pressure tactics, including the wearing of jeans and black clothes.

The union represents 55,000 nurses and 3,000 respiratory therapists.