While 40% of schools in Quebec are closed indefinitely, parents affected by the Autonomous Education Federation’s teachers’ strike are being asked to plan a Plan B for all of next week, a union representative indicates.
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François Bernier, president of the Quebec Region Teaching Union, told the Journal when he met several teachers gathered at the picket lines Friday morning on the second day of the indefinite general strike.
When asked whether parents should have “a plan B” in the event of a school closure for the entire next week, his answer was clear. “Absolutely,” he said.
“At the current stage of negotiations, it will certainly not be resolved in a few days,” he added.
- Listen to the interview with Simon Viviers, Full Professor at the School of Counseling and Orientation at Laval University QUB radio :
Two speeds
The Autonomous Education Federation represents 65,500 teachers, mainly in Montreal, Quebec, Outaouais, the Laurentians, Montérégie and Estrie.
Their schools are closed today due to the indefinite general strike they have declared since Thursday.
However, the other schools in the province reopened their doors on Friday as their school staff, represented by the Common Front, returned to work after a three-day strike that ended yesterday. However, other leverage could be announced early next week.
The public school network therefore now operates at two speeds, a reality particularly visible in the Quebec region.
Students from two school service centers in the capital and Premières-Seigneuries are still at home, while those from Découvreurs and Navigateurs on the south coast are back in class.
“We are aware that exercising our right to strike puts pressure on parents, we do not deny that,” says François Bernier. On the other hand, we appreciate […] that we have to fight because the current situation cannot continue. What is currently being proposed to us at the negotiating table would make this situation even worse.”
Better francization services called for
In Quebec, teachers are calling for better francization services for allophonic students.
“This is an important topic. Not every service center has a protocol for opening reception classes or integrating these students. […]. Despite the glaring need, we do not have the number of courses to adequately meet the needs of these students,” says François Bernier.
Parents on the picket line
Despite the freezing cold, parents were also on picket lines Friday morning, including several at Sacré-Cœur elementary school. They came to support the striking teachers.
“For me, schools really play an important role in the fight against social inequalities and for that we need strong public schools. This is about improving the working conditions of staff, which has a direct impact on our children. […]. We want teachers to be employed in every class next school year,” says Anne-Marie Lemieux-Breton, whose daughter attends the Sacré-Cœur school.
“The government must understand that something has to happen here, now but also for future generations,” adds another mother, Mylène Huot.
Strike calendar
daily
Tuesday
Joint Front Strike Day 1 of 3
details
Who is mobilized?
- 420,000 workers are affiliated to the CSN, the CSQ, the FTQ and the APTS. This front brings together employees from the health and education networks.
- In schools, the Common Front represents support staff, specialists and 60% of teachers.
- In CEGEPs, 85% of teachers are connected to the Common Front through the CSN.
- In the health network, the Common Front represents not only office workers but also specialists and technicians.
Disturbances are to be expected
- Picketing in front of schools, CEGEPs, health and social services.
- School and daycare classes are suspended in most school service centers in Quebec. Also closure of administrative centers.
Planned events
- A large demonstration is not planned.
Wednesday
Joint front strike day 2 of 3
details
Who is mobilized?
- 420,000 workers are affiliated to the CSN, the CSQ, the FTQ and the APTS. This front brings together employees from the health and education networks.
- In schools and CEGEPs, the Common Front represents support staff, professionals and 60% of teachers.
- In the health network, the Common Front represents not only office workers but also specialists and technicians.
Disturbances are to be expected
- Picketing in front of schools, CEGEPs, health and social services.
- School and daycare classes are suspended in most school service centers in Quebec. Also closure of administrative centers.
Planned events
- A large demonstration is not planned.
THURSDAY
Joint front strike day 3 of 3
details
Who is mobilized?
- 420,000 workers are affiliated to the CSN, the CSQ, the FTQ and the APTS. This front brings together employees from the health and education networks.
- In schools and CEGEPs, the Common Front represents support staff, professionals and 60% of teachers.
- In the health network, the Common Front represents not only office workers but also specialists and technicians.
Disturbances are to be expected
- Picketing in front of schools, CEGEPs, health and social services.
- School and daycare classes are suspended in most school service centers in Quebec. Also closure of administrative centers.
Planned events
- Planned rally in front of the National Assembly of Quebec between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- Demonstration from Collège Maisonneuve in Montreal from 10 a.m.
FIQ strike day 1 of 2
details
Who is mobilized?
- The Quebec Interprofessional Health Federation (FIQ) represents 80,000 nurses, practical nurses, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists.
Disturbances are to be expected
- Picketing in front of health and social care facilities.
- In the health network, the strike is governed by essential services. Therefore, some treatments will be slowed down on certain units.
- In addition, it is mandatory that 70% of operational services and 80% of services be maintained in subspecialty centers.
Planned events
- A large demonstration is not planned.
FAE General Strike Unlimited
details
Who is mobilized?
- The Autonomous Education Federation (FAE) represents 66,000 teachers in Montreal, Quebec, Outaouais, the Laurentians, Estrie and Montérégie. This corresponds to 40% of teachers.
Disturbances are to be expected
- Picketing in front of schools
- Suspension of classes for an indefinite period in the school service centers represented by the FAE. A return to class will only be possible if the union reaches an agreement in principle or makes significant progress at the negotiating table.
Planned events
- At 11:30 a.m. demonstration “for teachers and public schools” organized by the FAE in Jarry Park in Montreal.
Friday
FIQ strike day 2 of 2
details
Who is mobilized?
- The Quebec Interprofessional Health Federation (FIQ) represents 80,000 nurses, practical nurses, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists.
Disturbances are to be expected
- Picketing in front of health and social care facilities.
- In the health network, the strike is governed by essential services. Therefore, some treatments will be slowed down on certain units.
- In addition, it is mandatory that 70% of operational services and 80% of services be maintained in subspecialty centers.
Planned events
- A large demonstration is not planned.
FAE General Strike Unlimited
details
Who is mobilized?
- The Autonomous Education Federation (FAE) represents 66,000 teachers in Montreal, Quebec, Outaouais, the Laurentians, Estrie and Montérégie. This corresponds to 40% of teachers.
Disturbances are to be expected
- Picketing in front of schools and CEGEPs
- Suspension of classes for an indefinite period in the school service centers represented by the FAE. A return to class will only be possible if the union reaches an agreement in principle or makes significant progress at the negotiating table.
Planned events
- At 11:30 a.m. demonstration “for teachers and public schools” organized by the FAE in Jarry Park in Montreal.
SPGQ strike day 2 of 2
details
Who is mobilized?
- Some members of the Union of Professionals of the Government of Quebec (SPGQ), which represents 700 employees of ten CEGEPs, are on strike on November 23 and 24.
Disturbances are to be expected
- Classes are canceled in the following establishments: Cégep André-Laurendeau, Cégep de Jonquière, Cégep de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Cégep de Lanaudière, Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe, Cégep de Sainte-Foy, Cégep de Thetford, Cégep de Trois-Rivières , Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne and Collège Montmorency.
Planned events
- A large demonstration is not planned.
