Nunavik schools close as Quebec health, teachers unions start 1-week strike
Around 420,000 workers affected by strike across the province
Around 420,000 public service workers in Quebec, including education workers at the Kativik ilisarniliriniq school board in Nunavik, are beginning a weeklong strike to demand better wages. (File photo by Cedric Gallant)
A group of unions representing 420,000 Quebec public sector workers is once again taking strike action in a move that will affect schools and health-care services across the province, including Nunavik.
The “common front” of unions announced it is beginning a planned weeklong strike on Friday.
As a result, all Kativik ilisarniliriniq educational facilities, including public schools and adult education centres, will be closed for the duration of the strike.
Classes, school transportation and emergency daycare will resume Dec. 15.
The common front comprises four union groups: the Confédération des syndicats nationaux, Centrale des syndicats du Québec, Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec and Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux.
Each of those represents dozens of health, teachers and social service unions throughout Quebec.
The unions previously went on a planned three-day strike in late November.
A statement posted on the website of Nunavik’s school board, Kativik ilisarniliriniq, said the board had received notice that teachers, education professionals and support staff will be on strike from Dec. 8 until Dec. 14 at 11:59 p.m.
That action “requires adjustments to school scheduling due to mobilization and picketing activities announced by the unions,” the statement said.
In a message posted on the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services Facebook page, the health board said strikes by health-care professionals affiliated with the common front and the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec will also continue from Dec. 8 to 14.
Some health services in Nunavik may be slowed down due to the strike but emergency services will remain as normal, the message said.
Updates on the general strike by health-care professionals will be posted on local health centres’ Facebook pages and on community radio.
On Thursday, the Canadian Press reported that the union group says this limited strike will be the last one before it launches an unlimited strike.
The latest common front strike comes after the group rejected the Quebec government’s most recent contract offer, which includes a salary increase of 12.7 per cent over five years, the Canadian Press reported.
The unions are demanding a three-year contract with Quebec that includes annual increases tied to inflation rates.
(0) Comments