Nunavik teachers to vote next month on strike

The union representing Nunavik teachers says its members will vote on a strike mandate early next month.

Negotiations between the Association of Employees of Northern Quebec and the Kativik School Board broke off after the board deposited its final offer Jan. 20.

AENQ president Patrick D’Astous called the offer “completely unacceptable.”

The union is now in consultation with its delegates in each Nunavik community, who have already recommended the offer be rejected.

The AENQ will hold general assemblies in its schools and centres Feb. 8 to vote on the offer and also a plan of action that could pave the way for an unlimited strike in early March.

But the union may employ other pressure tactics before then, D’Astous said.

The AENQ originally dropped their threat of strike action before the Christmas holidays, when the two sides were close to reaching an agreement-in-principle.

Among their demands, teachers are asking for the creation of a policy to deal with students with special needs as well as a more culturally appropriate school calendar.