The two main union organizations that represent women workers in childcare centers were at the negotiating table with Quebec on Thursday, when the indefinite strike by union members of the CSN was on its second day.
The Federation of Health and Social Services (FSSS), affiliated to the CSN, began its mandate of indefinite strike on Wednesday morning in the early childhood centers where it is present.
Thursday morning, she was at the negotiating table and again in the afternoon, but reporting little progress.
As for the Federation of Interveners in Early Childhood (FIPEQ), affiliated with the CSQ, it has an indefinite strike mandate, but has chosen not to exercise it until at least next week.
The FIPEQ was back at the negotiating table on Thursday. The parties were discussing salary issues. The federation is now waiting for government negotiators to come back to it, before judging whether or not there is progress in its negotiations.
As for the Quebec Service Employees Union (SQEES), affiliated with the FTQ, it has already announced that its members have also just given themselves an indefinite strike mandate. He has not yet set a date for the start of his strike.
“I continue to remain optimistic, despite the situation,” said the President of the Treasury Board, Sonia LeBel, at a press briefing in Quebec.
Quebec’s offer would raise the salary of an educator to $ 21.38 at the first step and up to $ 30.03 at the 12th step. At present, the salary scale consists of 10 steps.
The parties are no longer very far apart when it comes to educators’ salaries.
The unions would still like the entry salary to be increased, in order to attract the next generation. At the first level, the FIPEQ, for example, claimed $ 22.85 per hour.
Support staff salaries
The main issue now is the salary that must be paid to support staff in childcare centers, that is to say, kitchen, maintenance and administration workers.
Quebec offers 6% to 9.3% over three years, depending on the job title. It is thus inspired by the increases granted to State employees in general.
The FIPEQ is asking for a 13.6% to 14.8% increase over three years for these support employees – not the same increases as for the educators.
The FSSS did not want to reveal its requests for these employees, but assured that they are lower than those requested for educators.
In this regard, Minister LeBel said she was open to finding “accommodations” to satisfy support employees as well, while respecting her objective of keeping the same increases she paid to the public sector.
The two trade union federations have lowered their demands since the start of negotiations. And the government has also improved its offers for educators.