Deprived of pay, striking teachers are forced to find second jobs, including a teacher from Quebec, a single parent of three teenagers who makes Doordash deliveries to make ends meet, while initiatives to help them multiply.
• Read also: Strike in the public sector: the Common Front will take stock at 11 a.m.
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• Read also: Unlimited general strike: teachers will receive $102,000, recalls Minister Bernard Drainville
Kindergarten teacher Julie-Caroline Dumont has had to find a second job since the indefinite general strike of the Autonomous Education Federation (FAE) began on Thursday, finding herself without pay.
This teacher from Quebec, who has 23 years of experience, now makes restaurant deliveries every day after her picket hours and on weekends, even though she is well aware that this extra income will not be enough to pay groceries, car and mortgage.
“Clearly, I won’t make it,” she says.
- Listen to the interview with Mélanie Hubert, president of the Autonomous Education Federation (FAE), on Alexandre Dubé’s show via QUB radio:
Support group
Mme Dumont never thought she would have to ask for help to meet her needs, but that’s what she decided to do this weekend. A post on a support group for teachers on strike allowed him to quickly find a winter coat for one of his teenagers.
Marjorie Guilbault started this Facebook group at the end of last week to help colleagues who are struggling financially, explains the teacher from Montérégie who is not currently on strike, since she is represented by the Common Front.
With the help of another teacher on strike, Geneviève Groleau, the two administrators of the group were able to collect around $1,000 in donations in 24 hours, which has helped at least twenty teachers so far.
“There are stories that give you chills. There are people who are going through a divorce, others who are going through bereavement… We pair them with people who want to help, there are many who raise their hands. We feel the support of the population,” says M.me Groleau, who indicates that he has not received any negative comments about this initiative on social networks.
The FAE also made public yesterday the results of a Léger survey carried out last week which demonstrate that the population strongly supports teachers’ requests regarding services for students in difficulty.
In favor of the strike
Even if they find themselves financially stuck, many teachers nevertheless support the strike, since they consider that it is the only possible outcome to achieve real changes.
“I voted for the unlimited general strike,” says Julie-Caroline Dumont, even if the possibility of the conflict dragging out keeps her from sleeping. “We cannot accept the government’s offer, we have to stick together,” she said.
For years, she has seen her kindergarten groups grow heavier, with young children with increasingly complex needs, without additional help in class to lighten her daily life, she laments.
- Listen to Alexandre Dubé’s editorial on Benoit Dutrizac’s show via QUB radio :
Two years ago, one of her students in crisis even broke her thumb when she tried to intervene, says Mme Dumont.
“We are often overwhelmed, but despite everything, I am still passionate about teaching and it is this passion that I do not want to lose. But I need help to get there,” she says.
For her part, the president of the Autonomous Federation of Education (FAE), Mélanie Hubert, recognizes that teachers “will perhaps turn to other jobs”, in search of income during the conflict, but hopes “from the bottom of my heart” that they will return to teaching once the strike is over.
“It’s up to the government to ensure that these people want to return to their classroom when the agreement is signed,” she said.
Negotiations are still continuing between the government and the FAE, but the discussions are progressing slowly and the gap remains large, says Mme Hubert.
“The pace is not as sustained as we would like and we would like productive discussions,” she said.
For its part, the Legault government said it was ready to improve its salary offer in exchange for flexibility on the union side, with the aim of improving services to the population.
With the collaboration of Anouk Lebel.
Strike calendar
day by day
Tuesday
Common Front Strike Day 1 of 3
Details
Who is mobilized?
- 420,000 workers affiliated with the CSN, the CSQ, the FTQ and the APTS. This front brings together workers from the health and education networks.
- In schools, the Common Front represents support staff, professionals and 60% of teachers.
- In CEGEPs, 85% of teachers are affiliated with the Common Front via the CSN.
- In the health network, the Common Front represents professionals and technicians in addition to office employees.
Disruptions to expect
- Picket lines in front of schools, CEGEPs, health and social service establishments.
- Classes in schools and daycare services are suspended in most school service centers in Quebec. Also closure of administrative centers.
Planned events
- No large-scale demonstration is planned.
Wednesday
Common Front Strike Day 2 of 3
Details
Who is mobilized?
- 420,000 workers affiliated with the CSN, the CSQ, the FTQ and the APTS. This front brings together workers from the health and education networks.
- In schools and CEGEPs, the Common Front represents support employees, professionals and 60% of teachers.
- In the health network, the Common Front represents professionals and technicians in addition to office employees.
Disruptions to expect
- Picket lines in front of schools, CEGEPs, health and social service establishments.
- Classes in schools and daycare services are suspended in most school service centers in Quebec. Also closure of administrative centers.
Planned events
- No large-scale demonstration is planned.
THURSDAY
Common Front Strike Day 3 of 3
Details
Who is mobilized?
- 420,000 workers affiliated with the CSN, the CSQ, the FTQ and the APTS. This front brings together workers from the health and education networks.
- In schools and CEGEPs, the Common Front represents support employees, professionals and 60% of teachers.
- In the health network, the Common Front represents professionals and technicians in addition to office employees.
Disruptions to expect
- Picket lines in front of schools, CEGEPs, health and social service establishments.
- Classes in schools and daycare services are suspended in most school service centers in Quebec. Also closure of administrative centers.
Planned events
- Rally planned in front of the National Assembly of Quebec between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- Demonstration from Collège Maisonneuve in Montreal from 10 a.m.
FIQ strike Day 1 of 2
Details
Who is mobilized?
- The Quebec Interprofessional Health Federation (FIQ) represents 80,000 nurses, practical nurses, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists.
Disruptions to expect
- Picket lines in front of health and social services establishments.
- In the health network, the strike is governed by essential services. Some treatments will therefore be slowed down on certain units.
- It is also mandatory that 70% of operating services and 80% of services in subspecialized centers be maintained.
Planned events
- No large-scale demonstration is planned.
FAE general strike Unlimited
Details
Who is mobilized?
- The Autonomous Education Federation (FAE) represents 66,000 teachers located in Montreal, Quebec, Outaouais, the Laurentians, Estrie and Montérégie. This represents 40% of teachers.
Disruptions to expect
- Picket lines in front of schools
- Suspension of classes for an indefinite period in school service centers represented by the FAE. The return to class will only happen if the union reaches an agreement in principle or sees significant progress at the negotiating table.
Planned events
- At 11:30 a.m., demonstration “for teachers and public schools” organized by the FAE at Jarry Park, in Montreal.
Friday
FIQ strike Day 2 of 2
Details
Who is mobilized?
- The Quebec Interprofessional Health Federation (FIQ) represents 80,000 nurses, practical nurses, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists.
Disruptions to expect
- Picket lines in front of health and social services establishments.
- In the health network, the strike is governed by essential services. Some treatments will therefore be slowed down on certain units.
- It is also mandatory that 70% of operating services and 80% of services in subspecialized centers be maintained.
Planned events
- No large-scale demonstration is planned.
FAE general strike Unlimited
Details
Who is mobilized?
- The Autonomous Education Federation (FAE) represents 66,000 teachers located in Montreal, Quebec, Outaouais, the Laurentians, Estrie and Montérégie. This represents 40% of teachers.
Disruptions to expect
- Picket lines in front of schools and CEGEPs
- Suspension of classes for an indefinite period in school service centers represented by the FAE. The return to class will only happen if the union reaches an agreement in principle or sees significant progress at the negotiating table.
Planned events
- At 11:30 a.m., demonstration “for teachers and public schools” organized by the FAE at Jarry Park, in Montreal.
SPGQ strike Day 2 of 2
Details
Who is mobilized?
- Some of the members of the Union of Professionals of the Government of Quebec (SPGQ), who represent 700 employees of ten CEGEPs, on strike on November 23 and 24.
Disruptions to expect
- Classes are canceled in these following establishments: Cégep André-Laurendeau, Cégep de Jonquière, Cégep de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Cégep de Lanaudière, Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe, Cégep de Sainte-Foy, Cégep de Thetford, Cégep de Trois- Rivières, Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne and Collège Montmorency.
Planned events
- No large-scale demonstration is planned.