Negotiations resume on Monday between Quebec and health sector

Unionized daycares (CPE) in Quebec continue to negotiate with Quebec. (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press)

Negotiations for the renewal of collective agreements in public daycares (CPE) resume on Monday between Quebec and the health-care unions.

The FSSS (Fédération de la santé et des services sociaux), which is affiliated to the CSN, represents the largest number of unionized workers in early childhood centres - 12,000.

Other union organisations that also represent workers in CPEs have already reached an agreement in principle with Quebec, but as the agreement was reached just before Christmas, their members have not yet made up their minds.

In the case of the members of the Fédération des intervenantes en petite enfance, affiliated with the CSQ -- the organization with the largest number of members in the CPE, after the FSSS -- the outcome will not be known until later in January.

The situation is similar for the Syndicat québécois des employé(e)s de service (SQEES) and the Syndicat des métallos, both affiliated to the FTQ.

The dispute mainly concerns wages. Quebec is also seeking greater flexibility in work organisation.

There is currently a shortage of childcare workers, while Quebec wants to develop thousands of places to meet demand.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Jan. 8, 2025.