Minister Sonia LeBel first wants the parties to agree on the reorganization of work in schools and hospitals, before discussing salary increases again for all public sector employees.
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“We have said it from the beginning, we will be ready to talk about the central table again in a more precise way when we have obtained serious discussions on sectoral measures, at all the negotiating tables,” declared the President of the Council of the Treasury during a press briefing at the National Assembly on Tuesday, in the company of his colleagues in Education and Health.
A few hours earlier, the opposition parties had deemed the 10.3% over five years offered to all workers insufficient.
Sonia LeBel points out that the government’s offer also includes an additional 3% for certain sectors where Quebec wants to attract more workers, as well as a flat rate of $1,000 and a bonus of 1% on average for employees earning less than $52,000 per year. year or starting their career.
“We take the overall compensation situation very seriously. But for us, the important thing about this negotiation is to be able to review the organization of work,” summarized the minister, as a major series of walkouts began on Tuesday, which will turn into a general strike. unlimited for 40% of schools in the province, starting Thursday.
- Listen to the interview with Sonia Lebel, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Government Administration on Yasmine Abdelfadel’s show via QUB radio :
At least inflation
For the opposition parties, Quebec must at least offer the equivalent of inflation to public sector employees. The recent economic update put the increase in the consumer price index at 12.7% between 2023 and 2027.
“The government’s starting position, and not the outcome of the negotiation, must be at least the cost of living. It’s at least 13%,” declared Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon.
Without quantifying the percentage, the Quebec Liberal Party and Québec solidaire (QS) declared that salary increases must at least follow the increase in the cost of living.
“For us, inflation is the bare minimum. We cannot ask people to become poorer by working in our schools and then our hospitals,” said the parliamentary leader of QS, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois.
Photo Agence QMI, JOEL LEMAY
Long strike?
Furthermore, the opposition parties fear that the Legault government will prolong the strike in order to turn public opinion in its favor.
Walkout days have significant impacts, particularly on parents of school-age children. “I worry that we are taking parents hostage to possibly use the very legitimate discontent of these parents, within the framework of the negotiations, to arrive at a special law,” says Paul St-Pierre Plamondon.
“I hope that the government will move forward very quickly, because parents cannot last the whole week with the announced strikes,” declared Liberal MP Monsef Derraji.
The Legault government, he said, must not prolong the strike in order to “play a political game”.
“Everyone knows that François Legault’s strategy will be to divide and rule better,” believes Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois.
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.