Front Commun workers begin 3-day strike

Front Commun workers begin 3-day strike

Picket lines were plentiful throughout the Pontiac, as public sector workers in health, education and social services began a three-day strike this morning (November 21). Members of the Front Commun, a coalition of unions representing more than 400,000 public sector workers across the province held their first strike day on November 6, kicking off one of the largest labour actions in Quebec’s history. On the first day, they announced this second action from November 21-23, and plan on more if an agreement can’t be reached with the government.

The day before the strike, Quebec’s Labour Minister Jean Boulet announced that at the request of the Front Commun, they had nominated a conciliator to help the two parties reach an agreement “as quickly as possible”.

Daniel Boisjoli, the President of the Syndicat du personnel de l’enseignement des Hautes Rivières (SPEHR), which represents education professionals in the region’s French institutions, addressed a large group of picketers stationed outside Bowers Restaurant in Mansfield, highlighting their goals in the negotiations. He pointed out that the government’s offer of salary increase of 10.3% over five years was much lower than inflation, and thanked the members for their support.

Lyzanne Cuddihy, a teacher at Ecole L’envolée in Campbell’s Bay and a local rep for the union explained that working conditions are a big part of their demands, in particular, class sizes. She added that the response that she’s heard from the community has been very supportive.

Regional health authority CISSSO issued a press release on November 20, assuring the public that emergency and intensive care services would be maintained throughout the Front Commun strike days, as well as those planned by the FIQ, which represents 80,000 of the the province’s nurses and medical specialists, on November 23 and 24. However, the CISSSO states that there may be delays in “certain sectors” and asks for the public’s patience.

Both English and French school boards have opted to cancel transportation, classes and close their facilities during the strike.

CHIP 101.9 will be bringing you more stories from the strike throughout this week.