(Quebec, Montreal) Faced with progress in negotiations with Quebec, the Autonomous Education Federation (FAE) is evaluating its options this Thursday. Among these: suspend the indefinite general strike or request the addition of a conciliator. François Legault affirms that the negotiation is “going well” with the teachers, and returns the heat to the nurses’ union.
Like every week, the FAE will hold its federal negotiating council this Thursday, which brings together the executives of the member unions. Among other options, it could decide to continue the strike, to suspend it or to request a conciliator, as the common front did.
The Minister of Education says he is “hopeful” that the strike will be suspended.
“It is up to them to make this decision, but if they announced that they are going to suspend the strike, it would be a very good thing for the children, their parents and obviously for the school staff who find it difficult,” said Bernard Drainville.
“Before saying how the catch-up will be done, we must see how long the strike will last. I say it and I repeat it, I hope that we conclude agreements as quickly as possible,” pleaded the Prime Minister for his part. Mr. Legault is also optimistic: “I think things are going well with the teachers.”
PHOTO JACQUES BOISSINOT, THE CANADIAN PRESS
François Legault
The President of the Treasury Board, Sonia LeBel, briefly indicated that “the channels of communication” have always been open, including with the FAE. “Now they have proceedings to make today, so we will let them have their discussions,” she said on Thursday.
On Wednesday, the president of the FAE said she hoped that Quebec would intensify talks to reach an agreement before Christmas. “It doesn’t go well at the tables [de négociation]we are not moving forward,” declared Mélanie Hubert.
Thursday morning, in front of the Marie-Anne school in Montreal, the strikers seemed more determined than ever not to give up.
“We are holding on because we have to,” says Amy Lincourt, a teacher at this school. She wants a rapid resolution of the conflict, particularly for her students, hangers-on aged 16 to 21, but nevertheless adds that she is “not discounting”.
“We’re going to stay as long as it takes for there to be real changes,” adds the teacher, who is completing her qualifying master’s degree to obtain her teaching certificate.
And financially? “I prepared because we had been warned. The cause justifies this type of sacrifice. We do it all the time in class, whether it’s now at the financial level, it’s the logical progression of things” says Mme Lincourt.
On his in-line skates, teacher Tuan Bui circulates between honking cars on rue Sauvé.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
On his in-line skates, teacher Tuan Bui circulates between honking cars on rue Sauvé.
He is on his 18the year as a teacher and insists on the working conditions which must be improved, particularly with regard to the integration of students. “The return of real adaptation classes would make regular classes lighter,” says the man who has worked extensively in primary schools. “The task is heavy,” says Mr. Bui.
A 40-year-old father, he is ready to stay on the street as long as necessary. “We’re emptying the TFSA,” he says, laughing. “We have to do it, otherwise who will do it? “, he asks.
Heat on the FIQ
François Legault on Thursday returned the heat to the Interprofessional Health Federation of Quebec (FIQ) which, like the FAE, is not part of the common union front. If the Prime Minister affirmed that the negotiation “is going well” with teachers, it is more “complicated” with the largest nurses’ union. “With nurses and the FIQ, it’s more complicated,” he said.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The FIQ, which brings together 80,000 healthcare professionals, will be on strike again from December 11 to 14.
“I find that it makes no sense for a union to be able to block, for example, a bonus that we want to give to a night nurse, because we are short of night shifts, or a bonus that we want to give to a nurse who agrees to go and work in a region where there is a significant shortage of nurses,” underlined Mr. Legault upon his arrival for the question period.
It makes no sense for the FIQ to say: I want to continue to be able to block this flexibility. We will never, never be able to improve health services if we do not have flexibility from the FIQ union.
François Legault, Premier of Quebec
The FIQ, which brings together 80,000 healthcare professionals, will be on strike again from December 11 to 14. The union is calling in particular for a law on safe ratios in health care in Quebec and various measures to improve work-life balance.