Despite the positive signals from the Autonomous Federation for Education, Education Minister Bernard Drainville maintains that a longer teachers’ strike is still possible.
• Also read: Crucial FAE meetings: progress that would lead to strike suspension?
On Thursday morning, the President of the Autonomous Education Federation (FAE), Mélanie Hubert, reported interesting developments that could lead to her organization suspending the indefinite general strike that has been going on for two weeks.
“I see that Ms. Hubert said this morning that there is movement at the tables. And I’m glad about that, because God knows we can’t wait for this strike to end. Because, as I told you, I am very afraid for the children. I fear for the delays of our children and especially our children with special needs,” said Bernard Drainville a few minutes before joining the CAQ caucus.
The minister therefore “remains hopeful” of a quick result. Despite everything, the signals from the FAE, whose members have been on an indefinite general strike for two weeks, are not enough to convince Mr Drainville that an agreement is within reach.
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No guarantees
He admits that the conflict could last until Christmas. “Unfortunately it is possible that it will last that long, but I can’t believe it will last that long. “We want there to be a solution as quickly as possible, especially for the children, for the parents, but also for the employees who are starting to find it difficult,” emphasizes Mr. Drainville.
Once the strike ends, Quebec may explore different scenarios to make up for the lost days, depending on the duration of the strike.
Prime Minister François Legault was also encouraged by the positive signals from the FAE. However, he admits that talks with the nurses’ union, the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ), are more difficult.
“I think things are going well with the teachers. “It’s more complicated with nurses and the FIQ,” estimates François Legault.
“I don’t think it makes sense for a union to be able to block, for example, a bonus that we want to give to a night nurse because we don’t have night shifts, or a bonus that we want to give to a nurse.” to work in a region where there is a significant shortage of nursing staff,” said the Prime Minister.