The CSN union members in the CPE voted in favor of an indefinite general strike as of December 1, “if negotiations with the government do not unblock by then”.
• Read also: Parents are exhausted by strikes in childcare centers
• Read also: Quebec does not rule out the special law
The 11,000 childcare workers of the CSN voted in favor of this ultimate pressure tactic in a proportion of 92%.
The CSN thus joins the FIPEQ-CSQ, which has already adopted mandates of an indefinite general strike. In the case of the FIPEQ, 91% of union members voted for a walkout.
For its part, the Legault government is already talking about the possibility of a special law to force the return to work of educators and support employees in childcare centers.
“I remain a person who prefers to get along. I’ll make every effort to hear myself [avec les syndicats], but that is most certainly one of the tools that are available, ”said the President of the Treasury Board, Sonia Lebel, on Thursday.
The minister’s remarks risk fueling the discontent of union members, believes the vice-president of the FSSS – CSN, Lucie Longchamps. “The special law would be the worst decision that this government could make for childcare centers,” she declared at a press conference. The workers will leave en masse. They must be recognized, and that would really be a slap in the face, if he had to make such a choice. ”
Out of solidarity
Quebec offers educators a 20.2% increase over three years, but the unions are demanding a larger increase than what is on the table for support employees, such as janitors and cooks in childcare centers.
These other workers represent about 15% of union members, which leads the CSN to say that granting them a more significant increase would not have a significant impact for the government.
“By also voting massively for the strike and therefore by agreeing to lose days, even weeks of wages, these already underpaid workers have just told the government that they are united and that they are ready to fight until at the end to have a fair agreement for all employees ”, declared the representative of the CPE sector to the FSSS – CSN, Stéphanie Vachon, in a press release.
Differentiated offer
According to the government part, Quebec offers educators a salary increase of up to 20.2% over three years, or $ 30 per hour at the last level. Those who agree to work 40 hours / week will get up to 23% increase, according to a last offer described as “non-formal” presented this month.
Most of the other employment groups are offered an increase of about 9% over three years. This is much less than the catch-up granted to educators, but Quebec points out that other public service employees have obtained increases of 6% over the same period.
Note that compliance officers (7.5%), administrative assistants (7%) and technical and educational support officers (6%) are offered smaller increases, according to the CSN.