Unionized public sector workers say they will have a counter-offer for the provincial government ready on Wednesday.
The Common Front which represents about 400,000 employees in Quebec is in the midst of two weeks of rotating strikes, with thousands rallying Monday and Tuesday in Montreal and Laval.
On Tuesday several thousand people marched through Montreal to show their support for the strike.
The unions rejected the latest salary offer from the provincial government, which proposed a three per cent pay increase over five years along with a reduction in the number of different pay scales.
Until now the Common Front has been asking for a 13.5 per cent pay increase over three years, and to keep the age of retirement at 60.
“We think it’s a good offer, a positive one, one that we hope will help negotiate a deal,” said Carolle Dube of the Common Front.
Treasury Board Martin Coiteux, the MNA in charge of the overall provincial budget, said he hopes the unions are serious.
“If we have a movement that is close to what we offered, we will interpret this as a clear signal that the unions want to have a negotiated agreement,” said Coiteux.
Dominique Daigneault of the CSN said so far the unions don't think the government has been taking their issues seriously.
"We want to show the government our determination to be respected as we deserve. So this is why we are here in the streets, on the picket lines. We are everywhere and we want to say to the government that we deserve respect and we will have it," she said.
Each group, such as teachers, healthcare workers, and other civil servants, also has their own concerns.
"We need more help for our children. The children do need more resources so this is Important. This is not a vacation, we're not vacationing," said Michelle Wilson-Williams, who is a support staff worker at a school.
