Schools are preparing for the possibility of an indefinite general strike this fall, while the Autonomous Education Association, which represents 40% of teachers in the province, on Thursday formally endorsed this pressure tactic as a “last resort,” which will be triggered “in due course.” should “.
The FAE’s adoption of an indefinite general strike mandate was merely a formality, as its nine local unions had already voted by several very strong majorities in recent weeks in favor of this single ultimate means of pressure.
This “last resort” of pressure will be used “if no significant progress is seen at the negotiating tables,” according to a press release from the FAE. “Negotiations have intensified in recent weeks,” but “progress remains tentative,” we add.
This union federation represents teachers in Montreal, Laval and Outaouais, as well as a large proportion of teachers in Quebec (see details below).
“The status quo is not an option. It must be remembered that the working and practical conditions of teachers are also the learning conditions of students. The headlines have been reporting for months about the critical situation of the school system in Quebec,” said its president Mélanie Hubert.
Schools prepare for strike
“In the school network we are preparing for the possibility of a strike,” says Nicolas Prévost, president of the Quebec Federation of Educational Institution Directors (FQDE).
“Service centers are starting to send instructions to principals. We tell them how to behave in the event of a strike and a picket line,” he says.
According to our information, service centers have sent “strike packages” to their school principals.
Each service center was also asked to “establish a coordinating committee on pressure tactics to prepare for various situations,” according to the federation that represents them.
“In the event of a strike, we must first ensure that we welcome the children who are still showing up at school and take the time to join with parents,” explains Kathleen Legault, president of the Montreal Association of School Directors.
Other employees, unless they are also on strike, must report to be present at the site, “but we do not ask them to cross the picket lines,” clarifies Ms. Legault.
Other means of pressure
The Ministry of Education has also changed the procedures surrounding the official attendance scheduled for September 29, “following the pressure tactics envisaged in the school network,” according to a notice sent to the school network.
Teachers who normally participate in this administrative process may decline to participate this year.
Extracurricular activities, cultural outings, and other tasks not directly related to teaching are also at risk from these pressure tactics.
Demonstrations by FAE-affiliated teachers outside schools are planned for October 11th, 25th and November 8th.
However, the majority of teachers in the province are represented by the Fédération des syndicats de l’enseignement, which is affiliated with the Centrale des syndicats du Québec. In the coming weeks they will decide on pressure tactics, which could even go as far as an indefinite general strike.
Which schools are at risk of an FAE teachers strike?
Here are the affected service centers:
Montreal region
- Montreal School Service Center
- Marguerite-Bourgeoys School Service Center
- Pointe-de-l’Île School Service Center
- Laval School Service Center
Quebec region
- Capital School Service Center
- Premières-Seigneuries school service center
Monterégie
- Trois-Lacs School Service Center
- Val-des-Cerfs school service center
Laurentides
- Thousand Islands School Service Center
Outaouais
- Portages-de-l’Outaouais School Service Center
- Draveurs school service center
- School service center in Cœur-des-Vallées