After more than three weeks of indefinite general strike by the Autonomous Education Association (FAE), the Common Front could follow suit if there is still no agreement.
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Will the Common Front launch an indefinite general strike?
Unions affiliated with the Common Front, which represents more than 420,000 members, will hold their general meetings on December 18 and 19, where the possibility of an indefinite general strike in January will be discussed.
However, the vice-president of the CSN, François Énault, still hopes for an agreement by December 24th.
“This week will be about focusing on the negotiations, trying to find an agreement. I still believe, all the partners in the common front still believe that we can reach an agreement by December 24th,” he says Mr. Enault.
“We continue to prepare for January because if nothing happens, it is clear that in January we will have our unlimited general strike mandate,” he continues. But the government doesn’t want to be in this film, and neither do we.”
On Sunday at 1:00 p.m. there will be a central table meeting, while the sector tables will do the same.
When do we return to class?
A return to classes before the holidays is unlikely for students and staff affected by the FAE strike.
Are there more strikes coming?
The Quebec Interprofessional Health Federation (FIQ) will also have to take stock in the coming days.
The Union of Government Professionals of Quebec (SPGQ) intends to present a monetary counter-proposal at all of its sector tables at the beginning of the week.
This counteroffer will particularly worry CEGEP experts.
“There is a monetary counter-proposal that is being put forward at all tables,” says the president of the Union of Government Professionals of Quebec (SPGQ), Guillaume Bouvrette. The initial offers correspond to the demands of the common front, i.e. purchasing power protection, which in our opinion represents a minimum. Our wish is to reach an agreement.”
Further strike days could also be announced.
Summary of the last few weeks:
· The FAE has been on indefinite general strike since November 23rd
· The Common Front is on strike from November 21st to 23rd and December 8th to 14th
· The FIQ is on strike on November 6th, 8th, 9th, 23rd and 24th and from December 11th to 14th
· The Unifor union and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) provided $70,000 and $100,000 in aid, respectively, in solidarity