After a second strike sequence – which takes place this week over three days – the representatives of the Common Front do not have a new date of demonstrations in mind, preferring to let the conciliators do their work before making any decision.
• Read also: Teachers’ strike: “the chicken or the egg”
This was explained Wednesday morning by the president of the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ), Éric Gingras, meeting with his colleagues from the Common Front in Montreal.
“Today, are we announcing new strike dates? The answer is no,” confirmed Éric Gingras during a press briefing.
“We are serious in our approach to leaving room for conciliators, but we will not do that for weeks, we leave a few days to see if it can work,” he nevertheless qualified.
Conciliators already at work
The Common Front had demanded the appointment of a conciliator last week, in an attempt to unblock the negotiations with Quebec. Labor Minister Jean Boulet also mentioned on Monday the appointment of a conciliator for the Legault government.
The movement representing more than 420,000 members indicated that it had met its conciliator on Monday.
“At a minimum, there is a momentum building and the conciliators are doing the job we wanted, namely that the government can sit down and give us answers to what we have been waiting for months,” underlined François Enault, first vice-president of the Confederation of National Trade Unions (CSN).
Union representatives therefore intend to wait for the results of the three days of strike planned for the end of the week before making a decision on the future of the movement.
Photo Agence QMI, JOEL LEMAY
“It’s a show off”
However, Mr. Gingras and Mr. Enault did not hesitate to send barbs towards the CAQ government, and more particularly the president of the Treasury Board, Sonia LeBel.
“I am sending a message to the government, we should perhaps stop being on X Twitter, and start being at the table and stop spreading disinformation,” insisted Mr. Enault.
“What the Treasury Board wants from the start is to make us poorer, what the Treasury Board wants from the start is not really to negotiate, what the Treasury Board wants from the start is is to make us look bad,” insisted Mr. Gingras.
“For the moment, it’s not negotiating, it’s just showing off,” he said.
Photo Agence QMI, JOEL LEMAY
A third day of strike is planned for Thursday on the Common Front side, while teachers represented by the Autonomous Federation of Education (FAE) will add to the demands that are pouring out in the streets of the province.
The teachers of this other union movement are embarking on an indefinite strike mandate, with no end date given.
Watch the Common Front press briefing in the video above.
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
- No large-scale demonstration is planned.
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.