On Tuesday, child-care educators at 400 publicly funded daycares, referred to as CPEs, continued their strike for the tenth consecutive day.
Employees at CPE La Sourithèque in Montreal wore yellow T-shirts and held up placards, while some participants brandished flags and created a commotion. A number of parents participated as well, accompanying their young kids, to demonstrate their backing for the striking workforce.
During a press briefing outside the childcare center, FSSS-CSN union spokesperson Stéphanie Vachon revealed plans for three extra strike days scheduled for the upcoming week.
Vachon informed reporters that talks with the employers, the Family Ministry, and the Quebec Treasury Board continue, however, salaries still present a significant challenge.
Vachon pointed out that although the government has proposed a 17.4 percent raise for salaries over five years and remains steadfast on this figure, there are alternative methods to tackle wage disparities within the public sector.
She mentioned, 'A public sector employee with the same credentials as us earns $37 per hour, while we remain at $35, even though this proposal has been presented.'
What measures does the government plan to implement to address this issue?
Vachon mentioned that the CPE network is currently understaffed, and she expressed concern that the upcoming cohort of educators might opt for alternative career paths unless changes occur.
She thinks this could impede the network's capacity to establish badly-needed and eagerly awaited facilities in subsidized daycare centers.
In video message uploaded to X the previous week Treasury Board President Sonia Lebel emphasized that maintaining an excellent network within the province is crucial, particularly for the well-being of parents and children.
LeBel conveyed his belief that an agreement might still be made with the union, adding that the proposals currently presented were "fair and reasonable."
Lebel also highlighted two additional unions representing childcare staff who "accepted these proposals and expressed great pride in the advancements they secured for educators."
On Tuesday, in a written statement to CBC News, the Treasury Board Secretariat said the government would refrain from commenting on any pressure strategies employed by the union, stating that it is ultimately up to the union to act according to its own discretion.
The statement echoed similar messages from Lebel and emphasized that the 17.4 percent raise approved by the CSQ and FTQ unions for early childhood educators was consistent with the increases provided to "98 percent of public and para-public sector groups" with whom the administration had previously struck deals.
Despite ongoing negotiations, Vachon said that if an agreement in principle isn't reached soon, the union is considering launching an unlimited general strike.
She stated, 'We have the authority.'
However, even if it's right there on the table, daycare staff aren't particularly eager to tackle this task.
"We'd prefer not to do this to the parents or to ourselves since it would result in a loss of income," explained Rachel Castonguay, who works as an educator at Sourithèque.
It's a dangerous predicament, yet it's crucial.
Vachon recognized the effect of strike days on parents and expressed gratitude for their ongoing support, while simultaneously apologizing for any inconvenience caused.