A few hundred demonstrators gather in front of the National Assembly, in Quebec City, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, on the first of a three-day general strike of members of their union common front. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
MONTREAL – Striking Quebec public sector unions say they are hopeful a recently appointed conciliator will get contract negotiations moving.
Four unions representing around 420,000 workers, including teachers and health-care staff, are on Day 2 of a three-day strike that has shut schools and delayed surgeries.
The four unions, calling themselves the “common front,” say they see a “momentum” in negotiations after a meeting with the conciliator earlier this week.
François Enault, a vice-president of common front member Confederation of National Trade Unions, says talks with the conciliator are scheduled in Quebec City today and Thursday.
However, the unions and the government remain divided on the conciliator’s mandate, with the government arguing that Quebec law excludes them from mediating questions about salaries and pensions.
Aside from the common front, a union representing about 80,000 nurses and other health-care workers is scheduled to strike Thursday and Friday, and a teachers union with 65,000 members is launching an unlimited general strike on Thursday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 22, 2023.
