President of the CSN at the provincial level, Caroline Senneville met with unionized employees of the Saint-Georges Recreation and Culture Department on Thursday, June 27. The unlimited general strike, affecting some sixty employees, passed the four-month mark on July 2.
“More than 95% of collective agreements in Quebec are settled without a labor dispute. […] Conflicts this long are not something we see often. We sense stubbornness from the town of Saint-Georges. […] “Like everyone else, these workers are suffering the cost of inflation. Our demands are entirely reasonable and similar to what is being done elsewhere,” says Ms. Senneville.
The last day of negotiations was on June 16. Despite the presence of a conciliator, the two parties have not reached an agreement. The union members’ collective agreement expired on December 31, 2022.
Barbara Poirier, president of the CSN Québec-Chaudière-Appalaches Central Council, attended several meetings of the Saint-Georges municipal council, along with striking employees.
“It’s sad to see what’s being said. I’ve been an activist for a long time. I’ve never seen an administration so narrow-minded towards its employees. […] It’s sad to see the City thinking about what will happen this fall, when we are just a few elements away from a regulation,” she denounces.
Beyond their local strike fund, employees have access to the CSN Professional Defense Fund. This special fund notably helps workers in the event of a prolonged conflict.
“We are calling for solidarity from all our unions. We are the only union to do this,” said Caroline Senneville, adding that the CSN will support the Saint-Georges strikers until the end.
