Parents of Quebec students are preparing for an indefinite general strike by members of the Autonomous Education Federation (FAE) as negotiations between the government and unions stall.
• Also read: School days that were canceled due to the strike could be resumed
• Also read: Unlimited general strike: “Colossal work” at the negotiating table, assures LeBel
• Also read: A “historic” teachers’ strike that could last a long time
“We hope to escape, but if we need to, we already have a plan B,” says a mother on LCN.
Recording by TVA Nouvelles
“I support her 100 percent,” proclaims another mother.
Education Minister Bernard Drainville indicated on Thursday that an extension of the school year was possible if the strike dragged on.
“The decision has not been made yet, but as you know the law requires 180 days of instruction,” Mr. Drainville said at a press conference yesterday.
FAE reaction
FAE President Mélanie Hubert said that this discussion about adding school days at the end of the year distracts from important issues.
“We should focus our energy on reaching an agreement,” she stressed in an interview.
Recording by TVA Nouvelles
Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon also leaned in this direction.
“Instead of trying to make predictions about the future, we should better focus on negotiations that we can resolve,” suggests the MP.
Starting next Tuesday, there will be disruption in schools with the three-day strikes by the 420,000 members of the Common Front.
Recording by TVA Nouvelles
“It will be the largest strike ever in Quebec, Canada, and the largest strike in North America since 1983,” said François Enault, first vice-president of the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN).
“I think the population is behind us. “The population thinks that what we are asking for is normal,” he continues.
Prime Minister’s response
The Prime Minister François Legault has expressed his interest in there being no strike next week.
“I understand the parents who say to themselves: ‘What do I do with my children?'” he said on Friday at a press conference during his tour in Gaspésie.
Recording by TVA Nouvelles
“It is not my personal money,” he added, “I manage Quebecers’ money and I am obliged to respect the solvency we have.”
Mr. Legault reiterated that he would not give in to all of the Common Front’s demands.
“We are open on our side [à négocier]. “There are four offers that we have made, but the union demands are still at 21%,” he complains. Under these conditions, “we have to add 3.7 billion that we don’t have.”
Union responses
The unions counter that the government suffered losses due to the 30 percent increase in the salaries of elected officials and the subsidy of 5 to 7 million for the arrival of the Los Angeles Kings at the Videotron Center in October next year.
“I don’t know at the moment whether these are errors, non-compliance or disconnection, but there is one error after another,” says Mr. Enault.
Recording by TVA Nouvelles
The Quebec government is still waiting for a counter-proposal from unions to the four offers previously made.
Next week it will also launch an advertising campaign to make its offerings known to the population.
Do we still believe in an agreement between the Common Front and the government?
“I think so,” announces the vice president of the CSN.
We’ll see that next week.