Quebec suddenly calls all three childcare unions to a meeting on Friday

The invitation comes hours before two of the unions announced when they would begin their unlimited strike.

Article content

On Friday, the provincial government issued a sudden invitation to meet with representatives of all three Quebec daycare unions just hours before two of them were about to announce the details of their unlimited strike.

Article content

The Fédération des intervenantes en petite enfance du Québec (FIPEQ) hopes that the last-minute invitation to the 11 am meeting will see the province make a final contract offer.

FIPEQ and a second union, the Syndicat québécois des Employées et Employés de service, were scheduled to meet with reporters at 11 am to announce when their unlimited strike would begin.

The third nursery union, the Fédération de la santé et des services sociaux, has been on an unlimited strike since Wednesday and was also invited to a meeting at 10 am

Quebec Treasury Board President Sonia LeBel is scheduled to hold a press conference at 11:30 a.m. after the meetings conclude, fueling speculation that a final offer will be made in the dispute.

Article content

The main stumbling block in the negotiation is the level of salary increases that will be awarded to the nursery support staff who work in kitchens, maintenance and administration.

Quebec has offered those groups an increase from six to 9.3 percent, depending on their job classification. FIPEQ seeks 14 percent.

Daycare educators are offered $ 21.30 an hour at the entry level and up to $ 30.03 for workers in the twelfth and highest pay category. The salary grid previously stretched to just 10 levels.

FIPEQ wants $ 22.85 for entry-level educators and $ 30.29 for level 10 workers.

This story will be updated.