Quebec unions representing 420,000 public sector workers start weeklong strike
Posted December 8, 2023 4:00 am.
Last Updated December 8, 2023 6:24 pm.
MONTREAL — Unions representing 420,000 Quebec public sector workers are beginning a weeklong strike Friday.
The workers, including teachers, education support staff and lab technicians, are members of a group of unions that calls itself the Common Front, which includes the CSN, CSQ, APTS and FTQ unions.
The temporary strike comes after the common front rejected the government’s most recent contract offer, which includes a salary increase of 12.7 per cent over five years.
“It is not conceivable that our teachers in Quebec are making so much less than other teachers in other provinces. And, the fact that we have very large classes and that those classes are mixed, there’s a lot of students with difficult situations in our classes and not enough help. It’s very difficult for us as teachers. That’s why we’re fighting, “ said Sheila Cherenfant Sturge, a union representative with MTA and teacher at Royal Vale High School, on the picket line Friday morning.
On Friday, Treasury Board president Sonia LeBel said the labour conflict has entered a “crucial moment,” adding that she received a counter-proposal from the four common front unions. All sides have said they want a deal by the end of the year.
Talks were to resume Friday afternoon, and mediators are scheduled to take part in other discussions over the weekend aimed at settling issues outside of salaries and pensions.
The common front unions said there is movement on the length of a potential deal; they have sought a three-year contract while the government has consistently tabled five-year agreements.
“We are ready to open on a collective agreement of more than three years, but with an indexation clause and salary catch-up,” said Francois Enault, vice-president of common front member CSN.
The Common Front saying that they are open to a possible unlimited strike come January if needed.
It is the group’s third temporary strike since early November, and the unions say it will be the last before they launch an unlimited strike.
Essential services are maintained in health and social services establishments, but not in schools and CEGEPs.
“We’re really fighting for the students as well. It’s not just for ourselves that we’re fighting. It’s not a good learning environment for the students either. We need more help. That’s what we’re saying. We’ve been saying it. And, it’s time for the government to start listening. Nobody wants to be out of work. Nobody wants to be out of school. We are teachers. We want to be in our classrooms teaching. Please give us an offer that makes sense so that we can all get back to our regular lives,” Cherenfant Sturge added.
Starting next Monday, the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé (FIQ) will go on strike too. The union organization, which represents 80,000 nurses, nursing assistants, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists, will also be on strike until December 14.
These two strikes affecting the healthcare sector will result in postponements of surgeries and various appointments.
Around 66,000 teachers who are members of a different union, the Fédération autonome de l’enseignement (FAE), have been on unlimited strike since Nov. 23.
Negotiations with the Quebec government continue. Both sides say they hope to reach a settlement by the end of the year.
“Most important thing is getting us back in the classroom so that we can teach the kids, but we need the proper services so that every year we’re not asked to do more with less. Something that’s competitive, with the crazy inflation that’s going on. You’ve been to the grocery store – it’s ridiculous,” said Anthony Meades, a high school math teacher at Royal Vale with the English Montreal School Board.
“The most important thing is that we are demanding really a substantial, not substantial, but righteous salary increases. If we look at our counterparts in the city and universities, they make about $30 an hour, $26 to $29. We’re at $22. We’re not asking to be equal with them, but at least have a catch-up. I think the 20 per cent three years is fair. We could have asked for 40 per cent, it would have been ridiculous, but we’re not like that. We are trying to be fair to get our salaries,” said Frank Masciotra, union representative, UES and EMSB Caretaker, Vincent Massey High School.
“I think we’re overworked, I’ll be honest with you, we have a shortage of staff, we’ve got to pick up the slack. It’s not easy. We do it because we love what we do. We love the kids, we’re here to support.”
“This is the first time, our major union leaders have said it, it’s the first time in a long time that so many unions are together. I think it’s a big message. Mr. Legault, you’ve got to listen because this is not going to end if you don’t end it. I’m telling you right now, I’m ready to go to the end. So it’s up to you, Mr. Legault, show that you are who you are, you say you are,” added Masciotra.
On Thursday, Quebec Premier François Legault said Thursday he’s willing to offer the workers more money but wants unions to make concessions on management issues, such as the transfer of nurses between health facilities.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 7, 2023.
