Daycare workers in Quebec go on strike when contract negotiations break

The unions say they are reportedly considering an indefinite strike if no agreement is reached.

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Daycare workers in Quebec will begin strikes at various locations as contract negotiations stopped late Friday.

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“After a week of intense negotiations, the representatives of the (early childhood) employees … and the employers’ party did not reach an agreement and ended the talks,” wrote the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN ) in a press release on Friday announcing the strike. .

“We must, once again, increase the pressure for the government to move,” wrote Stéphanie Vachon, child care leader at the Federation of Health and Social Services (FSSS), which is part of the CSN.

In day care centers where workers are represented by the FSSS, strikes will take place on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the next week.

In centers where workers are part of the Federation of Early Childhood Workers, affiliated with the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ), the strike will take place on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

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The two unions are reportedly considering an indefinite strike in case the negotiations do not reach a resolution.

Unions say the dispute centers concern wages, not only for educators, but also for other daycare workers, which include specialized educators, as well as clerical, kitchen and maintenance workers.

The Quebec government wants to prioritize educators by offering them higher salary increases to make up for the province’s shortage of educators.

Quebec also wants to encourage educators to adopt the 40-hour week for five days. For now, it is common for educators to work 32 to 36 hours per week.