Dissatisfied with the government’s offers, the 11,000 workers in early childhood centers (CPEs) affiliated with the CSN have just adopted a mandate in favor of an indefinite general strike that could begin as early as the 1st.er December.
The members of the FSSS-CSN voted 92.1% for a work stoppage. The educators say they are ready to “negotiate 24 hours a day” with the government. But if the “attitude” of the state has not changed, if the negotiations have not progressed, the indefinite general strike will be called on Wednesday.
“By voting so overwhelmingly for the strike, the members are sending a clear message to the government. Specialized educators will not abandon their colleagues. We need a catch-up ”, launched Friday morning the representative of the CPE sector at the FSSS-CSN, Stéphanie Vachon.
The FSSS-CSN represents workers in 700 facilities across Quebec. On Wednesday, the 3,200 members of the Federation of Early Childhood Workers of Quebec (FIPEQ-CSQ) also voted 91.2% in favor of an indefinite general strike mandate.
Quebec is offering a 20% increase over three years to specialized educators. The government argues that it cannot offer such generous increases to other childcare workers: educational counselors, food managers, executive assistants and attendants.
The government has chosen to focus on educators because they are, by its own admission, underpaid. These unequal offers are at the heart of the conflict.
According to CSN calculations, it would cost the state 6 million to meet their demands.
“Qualified educators and special educators will not abandon their co-workers. They are going to fight as long as it takes to succeed in obtaining their increases to the height ”, warns Mme Vachon.
The unions say they are aware of the impact on parents. They believe, however, that they continue to support them mainly. “We know that this support is increasingly fragile. But we are confident that the parents are still behind us ”, estimates Mme Vachon.
“We accuse the unions of being responsible for the conflict, of being stubborn. But ultimately, we are fighting for our members and it is the workers who accept or refuse what is on the table, ”she said.
“A slap in the face”
The government repeated this week that it favors an agreement, without ruling out the possibility of a special law to prevent the indefinite general strike.
“I will make every effort to come to an understanding, but that is certainly one of the tools that are available,” said Treasury Board President Sonia LeBel on Thursday.
Recourse to a special law would be a serious error according to the CSN. “The workers are going to leave en masse. They must be recognized. It would really be a slap in the face if the government came to this decision, ”warns the vice-president of the Federation of Health and Social Services (FSSS-CSN), Lucie Longchamps.
“I’ve said it from the start: we won’t be able to offer enhancements to the same level as what we did for educators, teachers and nurses, because if we did that for all employees , we would not have been able to make these efforts for these jobs ”, argues Mr.me LeBel, for whom it is “a question of ability to pay”.
Quebec says it fears for the children, “who suffered a lot of repercussions during the pandemic”. “I can’t wait for the parents, and I’m so sorry for what is happening,” added Minister LeBel.