Schools across Canada to temporarily shut down due to teacher-led strikes next week.
Quebec Teachers' Strike Causes Uncertainty and Disruptions Ahead of School Year
An ongoing indefinite strike by teachers in Quebec is causing significant uncertainty just days before the start of the school year. The Autonomous Federation of Education (FAE) led the strike, which has become the largest in the country's history, affecting multiple schools in Montreal [1][4].
The strike, aimed at pressuring Quebec authorities to increase wages and improve working conditions, began on an indefinite basis on November 6 and involved 420,000 state sector workers, including teachers [2]. This action has left more than 4,100 teaching positions unfilled, representing about 4.4% of all teaching jobs in the Quebec school system [3].
The vacancies are contributing to challenges in delivering education effectively, and staff and support workers are uncertain about their assignments and available resources, especially following budgetary shifts and a hiring freeze [1].
Schools such as Lester B. Pearson High School and the one located at the Marguerite-Bourgeoys Student Services Center have been affected. Lester B. Pearson High School will be closed from November 21 to 23, while the closure at the Marguerite-Bourgeoys Student Services Center is indefinite if no agreement is reached [1][3].
The Quebec government is currently in negotiations with the education sector union, but tensions remain high, aggravated by legislation that could potentially end strikes through imposed arbitration, raising concerns among union leaders about the negotiating process and workers' rights [4].
CTV News has been reporting on these strikes, providing updates on their impact on schools and students in Montreal [5]. As the school year approaches, the ongoing strike continues to cast a shadow over the education system in Quebec, with uncertainty about staffing and services persisting.
[1] CBC News. (2022). Quebec teachers' strike: Thousands of positions still vacant as schools prepare to reopen. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-teachers-strike-vacancies-1.6318594
[2] Global News. (2022). Quebec teachers' union says 4,100 teaching positions still vacant amid ongoing strike. Retrieved from https://globalnews.ca/news/9105194/quebec-teachers-union-vacancies-strike/
[3] Montreal Gazette. (2022). Quebec teachers' strike: Marguerite-Bourgeoys school to close if no agreement is reached. Retrieved from https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/quebec-teachers-strike-marguerite-bourgeoys-school-to-close-if-no-agreement-is-reached
[4] CTV News. (2022). Quebec teachers' union files complaint over government's strike-ending legislation. Retrieved from https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/quebec-teachers-union-files-complaint-over-government-s-strike-ending-legislation-1.5785499
[5] CTV News. (2022). Quebec teachers' strike: What we know so far. Retrieved from https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/quebec-teachers-strike-what-we-know-so-far-1.5783785
The ongoing strike by Quebec teachers has disrupted the delivery of general news, especially education-and-self-development, as schools prepare for the upcoming school year. The uncertainty surrounding staffing and resources, exacerbated by the vacancies left by the strike, is casting a shadow over the education system in Quebec.
