Quebec government defends 'historic offers' to daycare workers as strikes continue
A third union organization is planning an unlimited strike starting Thursday in Quebec public daycares.
The FTQ-affiliated Syndicat québécois des employés de service is now also planning an unlimited strike on Thursday, along with the CSQ-affiliated Fédération des intervenantes en petite enfance (FIPEQ), if no agreement is reached by then.
As of Thursday, the three union organizations that represent workers in the Early Childhood Centres (CPEs) would then be on unlimited strike, since members of the CSN-affiliated Fédération de la santé et des services sociaux (FSSS) have been on strike since last Wednesday.
‘HISTORIC’ OFFERS
In an interview on 98.5 FM, Treasury Board President Sonia LeBel said she found it "unbelievable" that the CSN-affiliated FSSS is continuing its indefinite strike after Quebec tabled its "historic offers."
The minister claims she offered an increase of 18-20 per cent over three years for educators and 11 per cent for support staff in CPEs.
She argues her offer means $30 per hour -- the maximum on the scale -- for educators.
UNIONS NOT ALL THE SAME
LeBel said she believes the CSQ and FTQ demands were more reasonable than those of the CSN, which are “through the roof.”
"Apart from the CSN, we are on the same dance floor with the others," she stated. "The CSN maintains its demand to have similar increases for support staff in the CPEs, which is not the case for the other two union organizations."
When contacted after LeBel's statements, the CSN denied having the same demands for support staff as for educators and denied that it is asking for 18 to 20 per cent increases over three years for them, but would not say exactly how much it is asking for.
NO SPECIAL LEGISLATION
LeBel again ruled out the idea of introducing special legislation to end the indefinite strike, calling it an "absolute last resort."
She said she still believes an agreement with the unions is possible, even after months of negotiation. In fact, as recently as Monday, the FIPEQ and the FSSS were at the negotiating table with government representatives. The SQEES will negotiate again on Wednesday.
"I can't believe we won't get there," she noted, dismissing the idea that Premier François Legault may meddle in the file, as requested Sunday by the opposition parties and the union group at a joint press conference.
LeBel claimed he is already aware of the issues because she regularly keeps him updated.
-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Dec. 6, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.