Teachers want results

DEMONSTRATION. Nearly a hundred workers in the education sector gathered in front of Minister André Lamontagne’s offices in Drummondville to express their dissatisfaction with the state of negotiations. Determined to be heard, the demonstrators also received several klaxons of encouragement from passing motorists.

While their collective agreement expired almost a year ago, the unions want to make their voices heard. “We are here to tell the government that it is time to take action, to get to the negotiating table and to fulfill the promises made to us in education. For a year, there has been no achievement or realization. We want to remind them that they have obligations as an employer, ”announced Guy Veillette, president of the Drummondville region teaching union (SERD). Demands include making education a priority in government, valuing teaching professions and increasing salaries.

Members of the Drummondville Region Teaching Union (SERD-CSQ), the Union of Professional Staff of Education of the Heart and Center-du-Québec (SPPECCQ-CSQ), the Union of Professionals of Collège de Drummondville (SPPCD-CSQ) and the Cégep de Drummondville Teachers’ Union (SEECD CSQ) presented themselves at the demonstration.

The last negotiation meeting having taken place several weeks ago, the unions present hope that their actions today will allow the process to unblock. “In terms of salary, retirement, parental rights and regional disparity, it’s stalled. Absolutely nothing is happening. Before calling a strike, we want to tell the government that we are not satisfied with the negotiations, which are practically non-existent, ”continued Mr. Veillette.

Other demonstrations also took place in Nicolet and Victoriaville, this Thursday, in front of the offices of the members of the CAQ, for this purpose. “We want Minister Lamontagne and his colleagues to call on the Minister of the Treasury Board, Sonia Lebel, to tell her that the situation must be resolved,” added Guy Veillette. A five-day strike mandate was also granted.

Mobilized staff

The hope that the negotiations will succeed is always present among the teachers, but the frustration is also felt. “I think it’s important to get the word out to Mr. Roberge that the teachers are exhausted and that something must happen. Things have to change and we’ve been saying it for a long time. Over time, I have less confidence than with Mr. Roberge that the situation will be resolved. He was once a teacher, but he should remember his years as a teacher and what was irritating and difficult, ”said Geneviève Pepin, special education teacher at École Jeanne-Mance.

Pressure tactics are increasingly visible in educational establishments. “In schools, teachers can wear a negotiating sweater, which we have worn today, for example. It remains to be seen what the next steps will be. We voted for a strike mandate. We have not yet determined a date, but that should happen, ”said Maxime Lévesque, teacher at Jean-Raimbault high school.

“Mobilization is more difficult for us when we teach a lot from home. We are happy to see so many people gathered today to advance our cause at the negotiating table. At the moment, it is stagnating. We get the impression that the Conseil du trésor is in charge and does not give mandates to the employer representatives, ”suggested Nancy Quessy, general secretary of the Cégep de Drummondville teachers’ union.

A priority

The Minister responsible for the Center-du-Québec region, André Lamontagne, responded by email to the current situation. “Our government has been clear that education is a priority for us, which translates into improved educational success for all students, but particularly for students with special needs. As part of the present negotiations, we are working hard at the tables to agree on measures that will allow our teachers to offer better working conditions and more support to students, ”he said in the email sent to The Express.

In addition, the government has initiated a process of intensifying discussions with the Federation of Education Unions (FSE-CSQ) and the Autonomous Federation of Education (FAE) to obtain a sectoral agreement as soon as possible.

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