(Montreal) While several Quebec childcare centers are affected as of Monday by three or four days of strike – variable depending on the union organization – the government of Quebec and the three central unions have defended their position in this difficult negotiation.
At a joint press conference Monday in Montreal, the leaders of the CSN, the CSQ and the FTQ confirmed that their unions concerned will ask their members for an indefinite strike vote, after the days of strike action this week.
Members of unions from the Federation of Early Childhood Workers, affiliated to the CSQ, walk out on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Those of unions of the Federation of health and social services, affiliated to the CSN, debark from Monday to Thursday.
Those of the Quebec Service Employees Union, affiliated with the FTQ, will kick off from Tuesday to Thursday.
What stumbles
The main stumbling block now is the salary offered by Quebec to “other” workers than educators in early childhood centers. These are employees in the kitchen, administration and maintenance.
“It is clear that no agreement will be possible without the Treasury Board revising its position,” warned Denis Bolduc, secretary general of the FTQ.
“I hear again this morning that there are Tim Hortons offering up to $ 20 an hour for their employees. There are a lot of people in the CPEs who do not even win that, ”launched the number two of the FTQ.
In fact, Quebec has chosen to give priority to educators because they are underpaid – by its own admission – and there is a shortage of educators. It therefore offers them larger salary increases.
But Quebec is not so generous towards the “other” workers in the childcare centers.
In an interview with 98.5 FM Monday morning, the President of the Treasury Board, Sonia LeBel, maintained that the government was not financially able to do as much for “other” workers in childcare centers as for educators.
“We cannot do it for all the people,” said the minister.
During this time, parents must find an alternative solution for their daycare. Some still support the cause of childcare workers, others less than before, given the multiplication of strike days in October and November and, now, the threat of an indefinite strike.
“I think it’s better a few days of strike than closing a childcare center because it lacks staff,” replied Caroline Senneville, president of the CSN.