With music blaring from loudspeakers and flags in hand, dozens of healthcare workers gathered outside the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) as part of the Quebec-wide, week-long strike organized by the Front Commun. In fact, from December 8 to 14, nearly 600,000 public sector workers are protesting the Quebec government’s refusal to meet demands for a new, fair contract.
In addition to the Front Commun—which is made up of four unions that represent 420,000 healthcare workers, teachers, social workers and others—the Fédération Interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ) and the Fédération autonome de l’enseignement (FAE) are also striking. All are fighting for better wages and working conditions.
Negotiations between the Front Commun and the Government of Quebec have been ongoing for more than a year, but disagreements between union negotiators and the government, along with provocative comments from Premier François Legault, have resulted in the strikes that began on November 6.
“This is the third strike; first a short strike of one day, then a three-day, and now seven days. The goal is to make space for negotiations. We want to be in a place where we can put pressure on the government while also ensuring negotiations continue because we know the government is not ready to meet our demands,” said Éric Gingras, President of Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ) in French in an interview with rabble.ca.
The Quebec government’s most recent offer of a 12.7 per cent wage increase over five years was rejected by the Front Commun because the offer failed to match inflation, among other issues, ultimately ensuring “that workers will get poorer,” read a response released by the Front Commun.
Currently, the starting salary for teachers in Quebec sits just above $52,200 and the top of the salary scales caps off at approximately $88,600. The Canadian average, in comparison, amounts to $55,910 and $96,464 respectively. In healthcare, the starting salary for registered nurses in Quebec is $25.81 while Ontario’s sits at $35.52 for an entry-level position. Such a pay-gap has not gone unnoticed by Quebec healthcare workers.
“We are so happy to be fighting for our rights,” said Jonathan Lopez, a picketer on the line at the MUHC. “We are here to make noise because we save lives. We are important, we do a lot of work, overtime, and everything is expensive [….] Considering what we have to do, what we go through, we should be paid more.”
With over half a million workers on strike and teachers actively engaging in a general, unlimited strike as of November 23, parents are worried about the repercussions of a prolonged period without school. Front Commun leaders are quick to remind parents however, that things cannot go back to the way they were.
“This is not an easy situation and we want to reach a conclusion as fast as possible,” Gingras said. “We want to have teachers in the classroom at every level, we want public services, […] to have psychologists, and we saw earlier this year that there was a significant lack of personnel. We are fighting so that next year, people choose to work in education. What people are experiencing right now is a momentary setback at an important time where we can set a precedent going forward.”
Next Steps
According to Gingras and picketers at the MUHC, union members remain motivated and ready to continue striking. One union representative who was supporting picketers told rabble.ca that every lack-luster offer from Premier Legault’s government adds fuel to the protestors’ fire and cements the feeling that negotiations will carry over into the new year.
“Hopefully our messaging goes through and there will be a good outcome, but until we get our demands, we will continue with this kind of protest,” Lopez added.
Leaders of the Front Commun are hesitant to look too far into the future as they still hope to reach an agreement before the National Assembly of Quebec breaks for the holidays by the end of the week of December 19. There have been, however, discussions of a possible unlimited general strike in the new year. Support rabble today!
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“For the moment, all our energy is focused on negotiations. We are trying to get the best deal for our members,” Gingras said during a phone call with rabble.ca. “We will reevaluate after the break. But yes, it will be hard at that time.”
