The Education International’s Executive Board has adopted a clear and strong message of solidarity in support of its colleagues in Quebec demanding better quality public services in the Canadian province.
At the 47th meeting of Education International (EI)’s Executive Board in Brussels, Belgium, members made clear their support for the just struggle of the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ) and other public service unions, which bring together more than 400,000 workers, against measures of austerity that will impact the quality of public services across the province.
Read this solidarity message in its entirety below:
The Executive Board of Education International stands in solidarity with its colleagues in Quebec, Canada who are demanding better quality public services in the province.
Whereas existing collective agreements ended in March 2015, the Quebec Government has shown no inclination to negotiate new agreements in good faith. On the contrary, the Liberal Party-led Government has proposed a two-year wage freeze and layoffs as part of a drastic plan to cut down on public expenditure. CSQ, the education union, has joined forces with other public service unions to form a movement that now brings together over 400,000 workers. EI supports their just struggle against measures that can only impact the entire population of the province.
Like in many other countries around the world, unions in Quebec are committed to negotiating with all employers, whether private or public. Strike is used only as a last resort. There can be no mistake: the Government of Quebec is to be held responsible for the current strike, not the unions.