Quebec public workers to strike in November

Quebec public workers will move forward with a November strike action after rejecting the CAQ government’s latest offer.

“It makes no sense – it’s a real slap in our face what we received yesterday,” said François Enault, first vice president of the CSN, which is part of the Common Front.

“For sure with what we have on the table we’ll have to do more than one day of the strike.”

Three unions representing some 420,000 public workers in health, social services, and education are moving forward with planned strike days in November after rejecting a new offer from the Quebec government on Sunday.

The unions – who call themselves the common front – say the new offer falls short.

“They’re not happy. They were expecting something. We asked them last week if we hope you will put something serious on the table and no.”

The common front workers will be walking off the job next Monday, November 6.

FIQ – the largest nurses union in Quebec – will strike on November 8 and 9.

Members of the Federation Autonome de l’Enseignement have also voted for a strike but have not yet scheduled the days.

READ MORE:

• Quebec public sector workers moving forward with strike after latest offer from government
• Quebec public workers plan strike days in November: what to expect

The Common Front says they’ll be announcing more strike action shortly –  95 per cent of their members voted for an unlimited strike but two short strikes must be held before that.

“I think one day will be not enough – we’ll need to do more pressure after that,” said Enault.

Quebec’s latest offer included a salary increase of 10.3 per cent over five years – up from nine percent in their previous offer – and a one-time payment of $1,000 to each worker. The union says it’s the first time in a year of negotiations that the government budged a bit.

“It’s not enough but at least they did something right now so I hope we will be able to build on that and start some movement on the negotiation table.”

The common front says the offer is 11 per cent less than the raise proposed to provincial police – that the force rejected in September and a lot less than the 30 per cent pay increase MNAs gave themselves earlier this year.

“It’s funny when it’s time to give money to us they say oh we have no money – but they have money it’s a political choice they have to make,” said Enault.

“If they want to have a good public sector – they need to put some good working conditions.”

The Quebec government said Sunday they hope a deal can be workout before the end of this year.