As daycare workers continue their strike, unions and opposition present a united front
Three unions representing public childcare (CPE) workers and three opposition parties joined forces Sunday with one demand: that Francois Legault become “directly involved” in ending the impasse at the negotiating table.
“It’s time to get over the crisis and find an agreement for everybody,” said Stephanie Vachon, a representative for the FSSS-CSN, a union representing CPE workers.
CSN-affiliated workers from approximately 400 daycares have been on strike since Wednesday, demanding better salaries for support staff, which includes administration, maintenance and kitchen workers, among others.
Close to 40,000 children and their families have been affected by the walkout — and if a deal isn’t reached before Thursday, leaders of two other unions representing CPE workers, the FTQ and the FIPEQ-CSQ, say their members could strike as well.
“We know that the government, when he’s going to have an agreement one of the unions he [copies] it for the other ones, so that’s why we are fighting all together,” explained Vachon.
The Quebec government recently published an advertisement claiming daycare educators were offered up to $30 an hour, but turned it down.
It also states that raises were offered to support workers, but does not specify the amount of money offered.
“Despite everything, unions are on an unlimited general strike,” reads the ad, translated from French.
“It’s Quebecers who pay for salary increases with their taxes,” the ad continues. “It’s parents and most importantly children who are suffering the consequences. For them, let’s settle this now.”
Sylvie Nelson, vice-president of the FTQ union, points out that the breakdown in negotiations is over pay for support workers, not educators, who received more attention in the ad.
She condemned the use of public funds for ads portraying daycare workers as unreasonable and claiming parents and children are suffering as a result.
“They’re not happy about this publicity,” she said.
On Friday the government offered a pay increase of 6 per cent to 12.5 per cent over three years, depending on the type of support job. But these numbers won’t cut it as far as unions are concerned; the FIPEQ-CSQ, for example, asked for an increase ranging between 13.6 per cent to 14.8 per cent on Thursday.
ALLIES AMONG THE OPPOSITION
In a rare moment of political unity, the National Assembly’s main opposition parties came together in supporting child care unions.
“If this fight is not done right now, it’s [a] future that will be even tougher for all those parents, for all those women, who cannot go back to work because they don’t have a spot in a CPE,” said Veronique Hivon, families critic for Parti Quebecois (PQ).
Manon Masse of Quebec Solidaire (QS) was in agreement, saying it’s a matter of equal opportunity for women.
“If [Legault doesn’t] do it, I have questions for him about when he says Quebec is a very equal society,” she said.
The government aims to create 37,000 new child care spaces by 2025, but critics like Masse stress that the current network is already short-staffed — and unfavourable working conditions might weaken the network even more.
The union says they’re prepared to strike until a deal is reached, however long that might take.
-- With files from The Canadian Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Live updates: What star witness in Trump hush money case has said on the stand so far
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
Wildfire smoke drifts across Canada, over parts of U.S., prompting air quality advisories
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
When you have a moment's notice to evacuate, what do you take?
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.’s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease’s progression.
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sues for defamation over National Enquirer, InTouch Weekly stories
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sued the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly on Monday for a story that she said falsely claimed that she was trying to help the Menendez brothers get a retrial after they were convicted of murdering their parents.
'A great victory for the industry': Taxi drivers celebrate ruling that found City of Ottawa negligent in allowing Uber to operate
An Ontario Superior Court judge has ruled that the City of Ottawa was negligent in its enforcement of the city's taxi bylaw when it allowed Uber to begin operating in 2014, harming the city's established taxi industry.
Steve Buscemi punched in the face while walking in N.Y.C.
Hollywood actor Steve Buscemi has been treated for injuries after being punched in the face while walking in New York City.