Often I feel like I am literally living in the McGill bubble. I’m thinking about midterms, my next paper, what I’m doing this weekend and this week, I’m thinking about all the Halloweek events happening. That is, until I see a protest that reminds me that there is life outside of McGill and things non-university related that are going on. For example, Quebec is currently in the middle of a battle with its public sector workers.
Do you remember all the protests with the “Avec Nous” slogan (“With Us” in English) that took place in early October and other times of the year? That’s the slogan of the Common Front, a group of unions representing 400,000 public service workers, that are protesting the 7.6% wage disparity between public sector workers and other Quebec workers. In order to close this gap, the Common Front is asking for a 4.5% wage increase every year for three years, however the government has only been willing to offer a 3% increase over five years.
In response, there will be a rotating strike going on all of this week. The strikes, which include teachers and healthcare workers, will begin on Monday, October 26, 2015 in Saguenay, northern Quebec before moving to Quebec City on Tuesday. Montreal and Laval will be affected on Thursday, October 29, 2015, with all school boards, public CEGEPs, healthcare centers, legal aid services, the Palais de Congres and the Human Rights Commission, across town striking.
Don’t be so quick to think you’re unaffected. No, classes are not cancelled, but the McGill University Healthcare Centre will be a part of the strike. Rest assured however, as all hospitals will be offering essential care as required by law.
If these issues are not resolved, prepare for more strikes in November and December. You can keep up to date or read more on this issue on the Common Front site (Disclaimer: it’s in French).
Don’t forget collegiettes, there’s life outside the McGill bubble and sometimes it affects us too. A full list of all strikes can be found here.
Images obtained from:
http://i.cbc.ca/1.3262106.1445786415!/cpImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/de…
http://frontcommun.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/800×600.jpg
http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.2588433.1443633519!/httpImage/i…
Information obtained from:
http://frontcommun.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/d%C3%A9pliant_FC_ANG_Web.pdf
http://montrealgazette.com/news/quebec/what-you-need-to-know-about-quebecs-public-sector-strikes
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-public-sector-strikes-start-tomorrow-1.3287815
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/public-sector-strikes-common-fron…