Quebec's common front of public sector unions votes 95% in favour of strike

Quebec’s common front of public sector unions votes 95% in favour of strike

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Quebec’s common front of health care, education and social services workers have voted 95 per cent in favour of strike action ranging from rotating strikes to a full-scale walkout.

The common front represents 420,000 public sector workers affiliated with the CSN, the CSQ, the APTS and the FTQ.

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“It’s historic. The movement has been historic from the beginning — the largest common front … with a mandate that has not ben sought in 40 years,” CSQ president Éric Gingras said. “I have to tell you, we were expecting strong support, but this, really … The memberships are telling us two things: they’re fed up and they want changes to their working conditions.”

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FTQ president Magali Picard was equally enthusiastic over the result of the vote. “A result of 95 per cent … [has] never been seen before.”

“A strike mandate is itself a pressure tactic,” said CSN vice-president François Énault. “At 95 per cent, I hope the government pays attention to the scale (of support).”

APTS president Robert Comeau said the 95-per-cent result was an indicator of the memberships’ “outrage” over the lack of progress on negotiations thus far.

Picard of the FTQ noted that the participation rate in the strike vote was “far higher than in the past.”

If a strike does occur, essential services will be maintained in the health and social services networks but not in the education sector.

The Quebec government is offering nine per cent in pay hikes over five years with a lump sum payment of $1,000 in the first year and another 2.5 per cent in increases focused on “government priorities.” The overall offer is worth 13 per cent over five years, the government contends.

The common front is seeking a three-year deal with weekly pay hike of $100 or an increase equivalent to the inflation rate plus two per cent for the first year, cost of living plus three per cent for the second year and the cost of living plus four per cent in the third year.