On May 1st public sector workers of all kinds are expected to take to the streets to denounce the government's reduction in spending increases, but several groups delivered a preview protest on Tuesday.
As many as 3,000 home daycare operators, out of 15,000 across Quebec, will be on strike on May 1.
These daycare operators are members of the CSN union and have not had a contract since 2013.
“Our first negotiation, we tried to get something that was the closest to what we actually do here, which is taking care of children as if we were in a CPE, except it's in the comfort of our own home,” said Johanne Lavertu, who runs a subsidized daycare.
They say mediation has got them nowhere and they say they are furious they're not being treated equitably -- pointing out that Centre de Petit Enfances educators receive 13 more paid vacation days than they do.
“So we're trying to get now the equity. The equality for what's missing, it's about 5 per cent,” said Lavertu.
Home daycare operators point to that as proof Treasury Board President Martin Coiteux is not negotiating in good faith.
"We are serious," said Lucie Longchamps, a spokesperson for other daycare operators.
"We brought solutions to the table but he doesn't want to understand. We will not accept 14 cents a day per child. That guarantees poverty for the next five years."
Meanwhile the FIQ, a union of health care workers, demonstrated in great numbers in front of the Brossard riding office of Quebec Health Minister Gaetan Barrette.
About 600 people took part in the noisy, but peaceful, protest. They commended Barrette to stop talking and negotiate.
The nurses’ union said workers provided the government with their solutions a year ago, but contract negotiations have stalled, and they complain Barrette has yet to share his own plans with them.
The health minister was unmoved.
“Well, it's contract negotiations and during those negotiations no one is ever happy. We will see how it will end,” said Barrette.
The FIQ is condemning the slow pace of negotiations with the government, saying they have presented solutions but that Minister Barrette hasn't even presented his plans yet.
