More than a dozen merchants and entrepreneurs are showing their support for teachers on an indefinite general strike by offering them discounts or free products.
Among them is the owner of the DDD boutique, rue Beaubien, in Montreal. Luce Mainguy had the idea of giving teachers, as of last Thursday, a 10% discount on all her products, which are very varied and focused on local design and eco-responsibility. Strikers have already stopped by her store and benefited from it, she says.
“It’s a cause that touches my heart personally,” says the woman whose stepson is deprived of school. It was natural to want to show solidarity and underline our support with a small gesture. »
The entrepreneur recognizes that the holiday season, with all the expenses it involves, must not be easy for these workers deprived of wages.
The owner and manager of the Cowie fish market in Granby had a similar thought. “When we realized that they did not have strike funds, even if they were on the picket lines, we wanted to act,” explained the manager, Martin Genest. We consider that they have the right to have decent working conditions. We also think of the children. We have them, and there are way too many of them in classes. »
Upon presentation of an identity card from their workplace or a union card, teachers affiliated with the Autonomous Education Federation (FAE) obtain a 20% discount on almost everything in store. They also receive a surprise bag of frozen homemade products, such as quiches, pizzas and cretons.
“We helped at least 300 teachers. Today, we must have helped 15 or 20. As long as the strike continues, we will do what we can to help,” said Mr. Genest.
Several companies use a promotional code to reduce the bill for teachers who make purchases in their online store. This is particularly the case for kitchen and home accessories and Trois fois par jour care products, Hot Poc reusable hand warmers and Dérive ecobrand clothing.
Other initiatives are varied. For example, La Folle Tablée, in Quebec, gives teachers a free donut with the purchase of a hot drink. The Saint-Houblon microbreweries sell their pints of beer at the price of the glass to this specific clientele.
A momentum that warms the heart
“It’s appreciated, because the teachers feel supported. It makes you want to encourage these companies in return. We see that they have good values and that they are there when we need them,” underlined Jennifer Alves Nadeau, a teacher on maternity leave involved in the Facebook group “Mutual aid for teachers on strike”, which brings together more than 6,600 members.
The latter recently began contacting several merchants to explain their cause and seek their support. Many of them have decided to donate merchandise or gift cards through this group. These include games, show tickets, tea and baskets of fruit and vegetables. Its administrators are responsible for fairly distributing donations to teachers who have requested assistance by filling out a form.
“It can help reduce the Christmas gift bill. Giving gifts is not essential, but it is good for morale, reports Mme Nadeau. Several people mentioned that they were tight on their budget even before the strike, particularly single mothers. »
The president of the FAE, Mélanie Hubert, reacted by email to this outpouring of solidarity. “All forms of support are welcome, warm our hearts and help us remain mobilized and determined. The fight that teachers are currently waging is a social fight,” she wrote to Duty.
The manager of the Cowie fish market, for his part, says he hopes that other food markets will follow suit. His wish could be granted soon, if we trust the words of Mme Nadeau, since a volunteer from the support group is currently trying to encourage grocery stores to join the movement.