(Montreal) The Federation of Early Childhood Workers resumed negotiations with Quebec on Sunday and was still at the table on Monday, while a threat of an indefinite strike hangs over several childcare centers.
The FIPEQ, affiliated with the CSQ, has not yet announced a date for the launch of a possible indefinite strike by its members, although they adopted such a mandate last week.
The trade union federation had said it wanted to give another chance to negotiations with government representatives, while being provided with its mandate of indefinite strike.
The wages of “other” workers
The wages of “other” workers than educators, in early childhood centers, are now at the heart of the dispute.
Prime Minister François Legault said last week that it was normal for support workers in childcare centers to earn a salary comparable to that of the same support workers in schools.
However, according to the FIPEQ, these support employees earn much less in childcare centers than in the public sector, such as schools.
Moreover, the FIPEQ is affiliated with the CSQ, the central labor union that represents thousands of these support employees in schools.
Thus, according to the FIPEQ, Quebec offers $ 19.32 to $ 22.59 to those responsible for food in a childcare center, while these managers earn $ 26.57 (a single rate) in the public sector.
For a secretary in a daycare center, Quebec offers $ 17.80 to $ 20.18 per hour, according to the FIPEQ. In the public sector, a secretary earns $ 22.18 to $ 24.13 an hour under newly negotiated agreements.
The FSSS tomorrow
The Federation of Health and Social Services, affiliated with the CSN, was not seated at the negotiating table on Monday.
It announced last Friday that its members would go on an indefinite strike effective Wednesday.
The FSSS will be at the negotiating table on Tuesday, the day before its indefinite strike is called.