While 40% of Quebec schools are closed for an indefinite period, parents affected by the teachers’ strike of the Autonomous Federation of Education (FAE) are invited to plan a plan B for the whole of next week, indicates a representative union.
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This is what the Newspaper, François Bernier, president of the Quebec Region Teaching Union, who met several teachers gathered on the picket lines during their second day of indefinite general strike, Friday morning.
When asked if parents should have “a plan B” in the event of a school closure for the whole of next week, his response was unequivocal. “Absolutely,” he said.
“In the current state of negotiations, it will not be resolved in a few days, that’s for sure,” he added.
No negotiation meeting with the FAE is planned for the weekend.
For his part, Prime Minister François Legault reiterated Friday that the government is ready to put more money on the table in exchange for greater flexibility from unions.
“I have confidence that we will end up sitting down and negotiating win-win, that is to say winning on the side of the efficiency of the services provided to Quebecers, and winning on the side of the workers by paying better,” he declared on the sidelines of an announcement in Sherbrooke.
- Listen to the interview with Simon Viviers, full professor at the School of Counseling and Orientation at Laval University via QUB radio :
Two speed
The Autonomous Education Federation represents 65,500 teachers located mainly in Montreal, Quebec, Outaouais, the Laurentians, Montérégie and Estrie.
Their schools are closed today due to the indefinite general strike they have called since Thursday.
The other schools in the province, however, reopened their doors on Friday, since their school staff, represented by the Common Front, returned to work after three days of strike which ended yesterday. However, other means of pressure could be announced at the beginning of next week.
The public school network therefore operates at two speeds today, a reality that is particularly visible in the Quebec region.
Students from two school service centers in the Capital and Premières-Seigneuries are still at home while those from Découvreurs and Navigateurs, on the South Shore, are back in class.
“We are aware that exercising our right to strike puts pressure on parents, we do not deny that,” says François Bernier. On the other hand, we estimate […] that we need to fight, because the current situation cannot continue. Currently, what is being proposed to us at the negotiating tables would make this situation worse.”
Better francization services demanded
In Quebec, teachers are calling for better francization services for allophone students.
“This is an important issue. Not every service center has a protocol for opening reception classes or integrating these students. […]. Despite the glaring needs, we do not have the number of classes to adequately meet the needs of these students,” says François Bernier.
Parents on the picket lines
Parents were also present Friday morning on picket lines, despite freezing cold, including several at Sacré-Cœur primary school. They had come to support the teachers on strike.
“For me, schools really have an important role in fighting against social inequalities and for that, we need strong public schools. This involves improving the working conditions of staff which have direct consequences on our children. […]. We want the next school year to have teachers in each class,” says Anne-Marie Lemieux-Breton, whose daughter attends Sacré-Cœur school.
“The government needs to understand that something needs to happen here, now, but also for future generations,” adds another mother, Mylène Huot.
With the collaboration of Gabriel Côté.
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.
