CPE: New mandate for CSN daycare workers; strike from April 2 to 4
Posted March 20, 2025 10:22 am.
Workers in 400 early childhood centres, known as CPEs,members of unions affiliated with the CSN, have been given a new mandate to take pressure tactics that could go as far as an unlimited general strike.
About 91 per cent of members voted in favour of this second strike mandate, during meetings held on Tuesday and Wednesday.
However, they do not intend to immediately hold an indefinite strike, as they are planning a series of strike days. They will hold a strike from April 2 to 4, with a demonstration on the 3rd.
The original strike mandate was for five days to be exercised at the appropriate time and they have just completed their last two days, walking out on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Negotiations for the renewal of the collective agreements of the unions of the Health and Social Services Federation, affiliated with the CSN, have been going on for several months.
The dispute concerns wages, workload, bonuses for those working in the regions and assistance for children with special needs.
The Quebec government has already reached settlements with other unions affiliated with the CSQ and the FTQ for several months. These agreements were ratified by their members, in proportions ranging from 66 per cent to 100 per cent.
At the beginning of the week, Treasury Board President Sonia LeBel announced that “the framework established during this round of negotiations will not be called into question: it is a question of fairness towards all the other unions that have already reached agreements.”
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
