Prime Minister François Legault is calling on teachers’ unions to stop the strike so as not to harm children’s academic success, which has already been affected by the pandemic.
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“What is happening now is bad for our children. “I call on the teachers’ unions to end the strike for the good of our children,” he said in a solemn tone a few minutes before entering the Salon Bleu.
This cry from the heart came at the same time that the Autonomous Education Association (FAE), which had been on an indefinite general strike for two weeks, met to consider whether it made sense to continue its strike in light of the new employer offer the day before.
The strike by 65,500 teachers forces the closure of 40% of Quebec’s schools, something that hasn’t happened in 40 years.
In addition, the Union Common Front, which includes the teachers represented by the CSQ, will hold seven new strike days from December 8th to December 14th inclusive.
“We cannot hurt our children, it is the most precious thing we have,” added François Legault.
Quebec isn’t moving
Nothing has been filtered out of the new offer submitted to the FAE, but the Prime Minister on Friday proposed nothing further to address union demands for a reduction in class composition.
“Teachers would rightly want class sizes to be reduced to make their tasks easier. We don’t have enough teachers for that,” emphasized François Legault again.
The Prime Minister recalled that Quebec is ready to hire 4,000 primary classroom assistants who could help 15,000 classes part-time.
He also reiterated his proposal to improve the salary offer for public servants.
As for the government’s request to schedule classes in the spring instead of at the start of the school year, Mr. Legault showed some flexibility. The main part could be done in June, even if this means that the last courses would have to be given in September, depending on retirements, maternity leave, etc.
“I am ready to do anything,” assured Mr. Legault, however, stressing that he will meet the Minister of Education and the President of the Treasury this afternoon to try to resolve the impasse.
However, the prime minister rejected the idea of a short-term special law to force union members to return to work. “We’re not here,” he said.