Public sector workers continue to use their pressure tactics, in the absence — for the moment — of an agreement with Quebec as part of negotiations for the renewal of collective agreements. Overview of employees who are currently on strike and the next announced walkout dates.
Who is on strike right now in Quebec?
The Autonomous Federation of Education (FAE), which represents more than 66,500 teachers, is continuing this week with its indefinite general strike launched on November 23. The members of the nine unions affiliated with the FAE work in particular in preschool, primary and secondary schools, but also in prisons, at the level of vocational training or adult education.
The schools affected by this strike are located in the regions of Montreal, Capitale-Nationale, Laval, Outaouais, Laurentides, Estrie and Montérégie.
Thousands of teaching students at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM) expressed their solidarity with public sector workers by launching an indefinite general strike. These future teachers plan to return to class when the FAE walkout ends. A renewal assembly is to take place next Monday, during which students will be invited to vote on the continuation of the strike.
After walking out last week, the 420,000 members of the Common Front — made up of the CSN, the CSQ, the FTQ and the APTS — will once again set up picket lines from December 8 to 14.
The Interprofessional Health Federation of Quebec (FIQ), which brings together 80,000 practical nurses, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists, will be on strike from December 11 to 14, according to information from the Duty.
As for the 25,000 members of the Union of Professionals of the Government of Quebec (SPGQ), they have given themselves a strike mandate which will be called at the appropriate time.
Who could call an indefinite general strike?
If no agreement in principle is reached by Christmas with Quebec, the Common Front said Tuesday that it would launch an unlimited general strike in 2024, as permitted by its mandate.
This inter-union alliance, however, wishes to “give negotiation a chance” and is therefore only announcing strike days for the moment. A week ago, the Quebec government appointed a conciliator to promote exchanges with the Common Front, which represents health, social services and education employees.
The members of the SPGQ, who work in different government departments and agencies, for their part voted in favor of two types of strike mandate. The first concerns walkouts which would be carried out during evenings, weekends or public holidays, while the second allows the triggering of a strike which could be counted in minutes, hours, days or be unlimited.
A union body will be responsible for determining the form that the walkout will take, if applicable.
With Marie-Ève Cousineau and The Canadian Press