Meriem Chafai and her partner are both Montreal teachers on indefinite strike. Parents of four children, they dread the next few weeks without pay, but remain motivated despite everything. “We started to tighten our belts. I don’t sleep well at night,” confides the teacher, between two whistles, in front of the office of the Minister of Education, which was attacked by hundreds of demonstrators on Wednesday morning. “But we are going to be united, we are motivated, we want to go all the way. »
The couple had a small cushion and they limited their spending. “For the moment, it’s only been a week, it’s not dramatic, but we predict disaster by the end of December, because we have a mortgage to pay. »
The approach of the holidays makes things even more complicated. And this, even though they had planned Christmas presents quite early for the four children, aged 11 to 18. “We were careful with our spending,” explains the 43-year-old teacher. “Usually, during the Christmas holidays, we invite people, but this winter, it’s going to be a little difficult compared to receptions and all that. »
Mutual aid
Meriem is not the only one finding times difficult. “Sleep is very rare,” also notes Geneviève Groleau, a primary school teacher for nearly 15 years in Outaouais. I’m really dreading next Thursday, with my pay stub going to show $0. »
Mme Groleau requested debt consolidation to reduce his monthly payments before the start of the unlimited general strike of the Autonomous Education Federation (FAE). She postponed — at great expense — the payment for her vehicle. “The next step is bankruptcy. It shouldn’t last too long,” she says.
With her colleague Marjorie Guilbault, she created a Facebook page to help striking teachers who are going through difficult financial times, mainly single mothers and a few couples of teachers without income.
“The support group helps me a lot not to think about my own situation,” notes M.me Groleau. I feel like I’m helping others and I forget that I’m part of the gang. » Administrators collect requests and connect teachers who need help with generous donors from across Quebec. “We never thought we would have such a response, but it is so revealing of the support of the population,” she rejoices.
The two women decided to distribute requests for help anonymously, because they noticed “great unease” among union members in need. “Teachers are not used to asking for help. Being forced, overnight, to ask for help to the point of going to food banks, whether you are a teacher or not, I think everyone would have a hard time taking that step. », estimates Mme Groleau.
She prefers not to project herself into the future. “We take it day by day. We try not to think about tomorrow, because it’s too stressful. »
Doing housework
Maryse Lauzier, a teacher for 27 years, did not use the support site, but she also used social networks to get through this period of scarcity. “On an indefinite general strike and without any strike funds, my twin sister and I are looking for part-time work unrelated to teaching,” she wrote on her Facebook page. “Whether it’s for cleaning, filing, home staging, organization, content writing, Christmas gift shopping, grocery shopping or courses of all kinds, we are available for all your needs. »
She found it important to offer services that are not linked to education, “so as not to mix the cards” and “out of respect for the teachers and all those who are involved”.
Already, she and her sister have some cleaning contracts. “It won’t be a miracle, but it will perhaps help us not to sink, because we have zero strike budget. »
She claims to have been “in denial” until the last second, hoping for a last-minute settlement. But, like thousands of other teachers, she was forced last week to face the facts. However, despite the inconveniences, she believes in the cause. “We do it for public schools. It really doesn’t make any sense anymore. But I find it deplorable that we are going there, with what it costs. But hey, we’re doing it for the future,” says Mme Lauzier.