Some Quebec daycare workers vote in favour of unlimited strike mandate
Daycare workers who are members of the FIPEQ unions voted in favour of an unlimited strike mandate on Wednesday, though when or if the strike will play out is yet to be determined.
Members of the Fédération des intervenantes en petite enfance, affiliated to the CSQ, voted 91.2 per cent in favour of this unlimited strike mandate.
During a meeting with the media, the president of the Fédération des intervenantes en petite enfance, Valérie Grenon, stated that this fight is being waged to attract staff to the early childhood centres (CPEs) and to see the network grow.
"What I want to say to parents is that we are doing this for the future of the network," said the FIPEQ president.
"The unlimited strike mandate that was obtained would be exercised 'before the holidays,'" but at a time yet to be determined, said Grenon. "It will depend on the pace of negotiations."
"We know that there are a lot of parents who support us, that there are parents who are going to have a hard time coming up with plan Bs. We're going to wish we don't have to use our indefinite general strike. But if we have to go there... it's for the future of the network, to avoid service disruptions and for the 37,000 families, right now, who are waiting for a place' in a child-care service," said Grenon.
There is currently a shortage of educators and a decline in enrolment in early childhood education programs.
Educators are underpaid, even according to the Legault government. As a result, it has already announced a partial salary increase in the midst of negotiations with the unions.
THE NEGOTIATIONS
With this unlimited strike mandate, the FIPEQ is once again coming to the bargaining table on Thursday with an increased balance of power against the government negotiators.
There were no negotiations between Quebec and the FIPEQ after the latter decided to break off negotiations last Friday evening.
The CSN-affiliated union, the Fédération de la santé et des services sociaux, will ask its members on Thursday to also vote on a mandate for an unlimited strike. On Wednesday, several of its members held a demonstration to express their impatience to reach an agreement with Quebec.
The main issue now is the wages of "other" workers in daycare centres. Grenon brought up the case of a maintenance worker in a CPE, who earns $15.32 per hour.
Quebec has offered larger pay increases to educators, but not to these 'other' workers in the CPEs, such as kitchen, administration and maintenance staff.
For that group of workers, Quebec is offering the same increases as the government employees, as in 2 per cent per year for three years, or 6 per cent, with a salary bonus for the lowest paid. This bonus brings the salary up from 6 per cent to 9 per cent, depending on the job title.
Treasury Board President Sonia LeBel has said that she can't afford to give more to the 'other' workers in the CPEs.
-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Nov. 24, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Premier Legault reiterates that McGill pro-Palestinian camp must be dismantled
Quebec Premier François Legault reiterated that the pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill University must be dismantled while police remain 'on the lookout for new developments.'
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
The UN warns Sudan's warring parties that Darfur risks starvation and death if aid isn't allowed in
The United Nations food agency warned Sudan's warring parties Friday that there is a serious risk of widespread starvation and death in Darfur and elsewhere in Sudan if they don't allow humanitarian aid into the vast western region.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
Golf season a summer tourism driver in Canada
Golf is a sign of spring and summer and a major driver for seasonal tourism, experts say.