Hundreds of thousands of Quebec union workers announce week-long strike
The Common Front of unions announced strike days from Dec. 8 to 14, meaning nearly half a million of Quebec's public workers will be off the job again if they don't reach a deal with the province.
The Common Front is made up of the CSN, CSQ, FTQ, and APTS unions and represents around 420,000 workers in the health, social services, and education sectors.
"This is a final strike sequence before calling an unlimited general strike," said union presidents in a joint news release. "This announcement demonstrates our seriousness and our determination to reach an agreement before the holidays. Each time, we leave room for negotiation, but let's be clear: we will keep up the pressure and pursue our strategy of deploying our actions in crescendo."
The Common Front held a single strike day on Nov. 6 and followed by three strike days from Nov. 21 to 23.
Union representatives say that working conditions are unacceptable, the work union members do is undervalued and that wages remain low.
"Our members clearly felt it on the picket lines during last week's three-day strike. Something is happening in Quebec, and the momentum is there, for our networks, for workers, for services and for the public," the leaders said. "It's time to open up the engines, get the mandates down and reach a settlement at all the negotiating tables."
The unions will join the already striking federation of teachers' unions in the French-language system (FAE - Fédération autonome de l'enseignement) are on a general unlimited strike, which, they say, could last until Christmas.
CALLS FOR TREASURY BOARD CHAIR TO RESIGN
Opposition parties responded to the ongoing strikes at the national assembly in Quebec City.
The Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) called on Treasury Board Chair Sonia LeBel to resign, saying that she is incapable of getting along with unions.
Liberal education critic Marwah Rizqy said that LeBel has been relieved of other duties, such as intergovernmental affairs, to concentrate on negotiations.
"Sonia is zero for 10 in contract negotiations," said Rizqy. "Why is she still the head of the Treasury Board? Maybe it's time the premier found a better Treasury Board president."
Parti Quebecois (PQ) leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said the two sides need to stop negotiating in public and sit down to talk.
When asked if the province is reaching a critical point for students who have lost school days.
"It's already critical," he said. "We need a quick resolution."
Quebec Solidaire (QS) said the government needs to "table a real offer to the unions."
Are you a parent concerned about the strike's impact on your children's school year? We'd like to hear from you for a news story. E-mail us at MontrealDigitalNews@bellmedia.ca
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Alberta's request for federal assistance approved after fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on social media that Ottawa has approved Alberta's request for federal assistance after a fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday.
BREAKING Loblaw, George Weston to settle class action over bread price-fixing for $500 million
Loblaw Cos. Ltd. and its parent company George Weston Ltd. say they have agreed to pay $500-million to settle a class-action lawsuit regarding their involvement in an alleged bread price-fixing scheme.
Unclaimed bodies are piling up in Newfoundland. A funeral director blames the government
A funeral director in St. John's says the bodies piling up in freezers at Newfoundland and Labrador's largest hospital likely belong to people whose loved ones couldn't get enough government help to pay for a funeral.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
U.K. police officer suspended after video appears to show a man being kicked in head
A British police officer was suspended from all duties Thursday after a video was posted on social media that appeared to show an officer kicking and stamping on the head of a man lying on the floor of a terminal at Manchester Airport.
Canada's premiers forced to confront escalating climate change-related disasters
Many of Canada's provincial and territorial leaders remained consumed by climate change-related natural disasters that have only escalated since they met for meetings in Halifax last week.
Jasper mayor says alert system to be reviewed after message 'glitch'
More than 25,000 people have been displaced from Jasper National Park since wildfires started to threaten the picturesque corner of Alberta Rockies on Monday, but the mayor of its namesake municipality says not everyone received an evacuation alert when it was sent out.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.