The teachers’ strike movement is making waves on the students’ side: feeling concerned by the negotiation of collective agreements, thousands of future professors at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM) are now on an indefinite general strike in support of the workers of the public sector.
“We really see the teaching conditions through our internships and the substitute work we do, and that generates a lot of frustration,” says Loryane Fontaine, a baccalaureate student in teaching French as a second language and responsible for research at the Association of students of the Faculty of Educational Sciences (ADEESE) of UQAM. “Students have experienced internship environments or contracts with non-insulated environments where it was very cold, or schools with rats, which are unacceptable conditions. »
The strike has been going on since last Tuesday, and students took the opportunity to participate in Thursday’s major demonstration organized by the Autonomous Education Federation (FAE) or to join picket lines.
“These are our future working conditions which are being negotiated,” underlines Francis Richer, a baccalaureate student in secondary education, social universe profile, who participated in Thursday’s demonstration. “In the makeup of the class, there are so many special needs. » A situation that he already experiences when he does substitute work. “As soon as a student has an intervention plan, we must follow it. But while I am giving attention to one student, I have 25 others behind me waiting for me,” he explains.
These are our future working conditions which are being negotiated
“It is considered that, as we do this for vocation, we should be ready to make a lot of sacrifices,” adds Salomë Plourde, first year student in the baccalaureate in special education. “I see the statistics of teachers who leave within the first five years and I find it a little horrifying because, four years is a long time for a baccalaureate, it’s a lot of investment. »
Some fears
It is expected that students will return to class if the FAE’s indefinite general strike ends. A renewal assembly will nevertheless take place next Monday, during which students will be invited to vote on the continuation of the strike.
Especially since the fall session is coming to an end. Some students are also worried about the impact of a prolonged strike on their university career and plan to vote for a return to class.
“My heart goes out to the teachers. And next year, when I go to work, I will go to the streets to demonstrate. But I feel like my role is to finish my baccalaureate to be well equipped and not be part of the statistics of teachers who leave after five years,” says Camille Labelle, fourth-year baccalaureate student in adaptation. school, who is involved in his modular student association, but who speaks here in his personal name.
Asked to react, UQAM said for its part it was following this situation “very closely”. “The quality and compliance of training remain our priorities,” writes a spokesperson. The Faculty of Education and University authorities will make decisions to allow students to complete their fall term while respecting these objectives. »
Agreement accepted between UQAM and its professors
Furthermore, UQAM professors, who are not part of the Common Front, endorsed by 97% Friday at the general assembly an agreement in principle concluded with the management of the university.
Their salary scales will now be equivalent to those of their colleagues at the University of Montreal. Teachers obtain a minimum increase of 15.73% over five years and benefit from an increase of 7.73% retroactive to 1er last April. The tops of their salary scales will be increased by 17.5%.
“We would like to thank the rector of the university, Stéphane Pallage, whose involvement at the negotiating table over the last few days has certainly contributed to resolving the blockages that we were facing,” their union underlined in a press release. .