As many as 400,000 public sector workers, all members of the inter-union Common Front will begin a second series of rotating strikes Monday in order to reach a settlement with the government.
The unions decided to continue their pressure tactics, despite new offers presented Friday by Quebec Treasury Board.
The new offers have been described as “window dressing” by union leaders.
All regions of Quebec will be hit alternately for two consecutive days.
These rotating strikes will take place in health and social service sectors as well as in education, higher education and the public service, starting in the regions and continuing next week, with strikes in Montreal and Laval on Nov. 16 and 17.
CSQ President Louise Chabot said Treasury Board Minister Martin Coiteux seems not to have understood the message that the workers will not allow themselves to become impoverished “to finance tax cuts for businesses and the wealthy.”
Chabot added that if the government continues to turn a deaf ear, the Common Front is ready to “raise its voice” in the coming weeks.
According to FTQ President Daniel Boyer, the determination and mobilization of public sector workers in the first round of walkouts has certainly echoed in Quebec City and forced the government to move.
However, he added that what was on the table Friday is clearly not enough to reach a negotiated settlement.
