Salary: Echelons & Steps how is it for you

Can someone explain to me how your salary is assigned?
I mean that in Québec they
(FIQ, Fédération interprofessionnel de la santé du Québec http://www.fiqsante.qc.ca/english/englishContentMap.php)
use echelons (I believe that in other province and states, it's called steps or ladder in other places), and I do not understand how it works.
Is this equivalent to your years of experience? ( I hope so)
Is this according to the levels of specialty?
Is this according to the years you worked for the same outfit?
I know that I could try to find out by calling the FIQ (Federation of Healthcare Workers: the syndicat), but I was wondering if one of you could explain how it goes.
For my curiosity, since I am thinking of going to Québec to practice as a ICU RN, eventually and would like to find out what my 8 years of nursing would count for. :hatparty:
I am truly curious to find out how it work in the other provinces too.