Ruby Pratka, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
editor@qctonline.com
All English public schools in the Quebec City region will be closed from Nov. 21-23 as members of the Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers (QPAT) and unions representing support staff carry out a three-day strike.
Through their union federations, the striking unions are members of the Front Commun, a negotiating bloc which represents more than 400,000 public sector workers in health and education – all of whom are expected to take part in the strike.
“We respect the right to strike, and unless we advise you otherwise, we are inform- ing you that all our establishments will be completely closed during these three days of strike action. Therefore, no unionized employees, no parents/guardians [and] no students will be allowed to enter our schools and centres during this strike,” Central Québec School Board (CQSB) director general Stephen Pigeon and assistant director general Nancy L’Heureux wrote in a message to parents.
CQSB schools in the Quebec City region will also close Nov. 24 for a scheduled pedagogical day.
QPAT president Steven Le Sueur said teachers were striking because of longstanding concerns about pay, work-life balance, support for students with disabilities and staff shortages. “There is a teacher shortage, and the shortage is for a reason – it’s not a very attractive profession at the moment,” he said.
Le Sueur said he understood the strike created some difficulties for parents, but that “patience would be appreciated” under the circumstances. He added that teachers would not assign homework or extra work over the strike period.
The Fédération autonome de l’enseignement (FAE), a union federation which represents over 60,000 teachers at French-language public schools around the province including in the Quebec City region, has announced plans to begin an unlimited general strike on Nov. 23. Le Sueur said an unlimited general strike could also be in QPAT’s future. “The way things are moving at the [negotiating] table, that’s a possibility. It would be a disappointment, but we have to do what we have to do. These issues have been on the docket for many years and it’s time to do something.”
“We have a great relationship with our staff, but what can you do, they’re in negotiations. We’re getting close to Christmas, inflation and interest rates are high. We have great sympathy for our teachers and staff and wish them well,” CQSB chairperson Stephen Burke told the QCT.
Education Minister Bernard Drainville has said the school year may be extended in the event of a long strike.