Quebec common front members vote in favour of strike action

The members of unions associated with Quebec's Common Front have voted 95 per cent in favour of a strike mandate.

The members of unions associated with Quebec's Common Front have voted 95 per cent in favour of a strike mandate.

"This is historic. We said from the outset that the movement was historic -- the largest common front with a mandate that hasn't been asked for in 40 years," said Éric Gingras, president of the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ), which mainly represents the education sector. "I have to tell you that we were expecting good support, but members are telling us two things: they are fed up, disgusted and want to improve their working conditions."

The Common Front represents 420,000 health, social services and education workers who are members of the CSQ, Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN), Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux (APTS) and Quebec Federation of Labour (FTQ) unions.

"We could already feel that the members were behind us at the negotiations," said Robert Comeau, president of the APTS. "They were asking about the negotiations; they were outraged. But to see, with such a high percentage, it gives us a solid boost because we are carrying their voice in these negotiations. It gives us a good balance of power at the bargaining table."

The mandate provides for an indefinite strike but would be preceded first by other measures, such as isolated or grouped strike days.

"If the Treasury Board minister needed another sign from us, her workers, she got it. At 95 per cent, listen, it's crazy. It's unprecedented," said FTQ President Magali Picard.

"A strike mandate is a form of pressure tactic in itself, and at 95 per cent, I hope that the government will consider the strength of the mandate obtained from the union members," added CSN vice-president François Énault.