The 420,000 union members represented by the Common Front will begin a new strike sequence from December 8 to 14. Unless an agreement is reached by then, all schools in the province will be closed again for five days.
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This was confirmed by Common Front union representatives during a press briefing Tuesday morning in Montreal. “I think we are in good faith at the moment. We want to maintain the mobilization. […] The objective is to have a collective agreement [qui reflète ce qui est] the best for the public sector,” indicated François Enault, first vice-president of the CSN, specifying that this will be the longest common front strike in 50 years.
The parents are therefore not at the end of their troubles. Since the Common Front represents the vast majority of support employees in the school network, all schools will again be closed for five days in December, as was the case during the three-day strike last week.
Even if an agreement was reached by December 8 with the teachers of the Autonomous Federation of Education (FAE) who are currently on an indefinite general strike, the children could be back home as early as December 8, if no agreement was reached between Quebec and the members of the Common Front.
“Most strategic” option
“The Common Front assessed that adding a strike sequence before launching the indefinite general strike (GGI) was the most strategic option allowing a settlement to be reached before the holidays,” we can read in an email sent to members of the Champlain Union, obtained by Le Journal de Québec.
An indefinite general strike is being considered after Christmas if negotiations continue beyond the holiday season.
The Common Front still believes that an agreement is possible between now and the holiday break and notes a “change of tone” from the management side.
- Listen to the political meeting with Yasmine Abdelfadel and Marc-André Leclerc via QUB radio :
“Snail’s steps are insufficient at this stage of the negotiations. It’s time to open the engines, bring down the mandates and reach a settlement at all the negotiating tables,” the union group said in a press release.
“The strike is a tool, a means of pressure,” explained Éric Gingras, president of the CSQ during the press briefing. The latter also clarified that “never [ils] will not go on strike if there is an agreement within reach.
Spokespersons for the three union centers and the Alliance of Professional and Technical Personnel in Health and Social Services (APTS) spoke in Montreal, while the standoff with Quebec continues.
The negotiations which stumbled mainly on the question of salaries and working conditions led to the appointment of a conciliator who tries to smooth things over for the two parties in conflict.
The Common Front unions deplore a salary gap of 11.9%, while the average salary of their members, 78% of whom are women, is $43,916, at a time when overall remuneration is behind by 3.9 %.
“Expectations are high on salary and working conditions,” said Mr. Gingras, who hopes for an agreement as quickly as possible.
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
- Rally planned in front of the National Assembly of Quebec between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- Demonstration from Collège Maisonneuve in Montreal from 10 a.m.
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.
Friday
FIQ strike Day 2 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 and CEGEPs
- 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.
SPGQ strike Day 2 of 2
Details
Who is mobilized?
- Some of the members of the Union of Professionals of the Government of Quebec (SPGQ), who represent 700 employees of ten CEGEPs, on strike on November 23 and 24.
Disruptions to expect
- Classes are canceled in these following establishments: Cégep André-Laurendeau, Cégep de Jonquière, Cégep de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Cégep de Lanaudière, Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe, Cégep de Sainte-Foy, Cégep de Thetford, Cégep de Trois- Rivières, Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne and Collège Montmorency.
Planned events
- No large-scale demonstration is planned.