31 May 2021
The FPSS-CSQ anticipates service breakdowns
On the eve of strikes its members will be holding on June 2 and 3, the Fédération du personnel de soutien scolaire (FPSS-CSQ) is warning the government and the public that a breakdown of services in the medium term is imminent. In fact, in the context of the current labor shortage and facing growing needs, breakdowns seem inevitable.
“If we abandon negotiations now, or if the government imposes a decree, there will be no solutions to the problems we are facing. We will very quickly experience a breakdown in services. Given our poor working conditions and low wages, a school support staff job is simply not attractive,” says FPSS-CSQ President Éric Pronovost. “Our strike days are difficult for everyone: primarily for students who have had a tough year. And for parents too who are forced to organize themselves accordingly. And for our members who pay a significant financial penalty since they already earn low salaries. But these strikes are essential because we are fighting for student services!” he adds.
What would a service breakdown look like?
The concept of a breakdown of the services school support staff provide may be unclear to many. But it would have very concrete repercussions on all the children and their parents. It can manifest in several ways, depending on the job category affected.
Some examples of a breakdown of school support staff services:
- Daycares will be forced to make choices and may no longer be able to provide services in the morning, evening or at noon, for example. Parents would have to find their own solutions.
- Janitors or specialized workers would have to abandon certain tasks due to a lack of personnel. They could, for example, stop shoveling in the winter, cleaning toilets every day, or postpone repainting of premises, etc.
- Students who require special support in the classroom, from a Special Education Technician for example, may go without due to a lack of staff. All students in the classroom would obviously be penalized by this non-support.
- Bus drivers who retire may not be replaced if no one wants to apply for these jobs. This would force parents to find their own ways to drive their children to and from school.
“There are plenty of examples like these. The situation is alarming, and one has the impression the government is playing it down. If it fails to drastically improve the working conditions and wages of our members, we are heading straight into a wall. This is why neither our members, nor the media, nor parents should let up!” adds Pronovost.
Reminder of upcoming strikes
The S13 collective agreement bus drivers will be on strike on June 2 from 12:01 a.m. to 12 noon. S3 collective agreement Francophone school support staff will be on strike from 12:01 a.m. to 12 noon on June 3. Finally, S12 collective agreement Anglophone school support staff will exercise their right to strike on June 3, from noon to 8 p.m.
School boards and service centers affected
June 2 a.m. (school bus drivers)
– Eastern Townships School Board
June 3 a.m. (Francophone school support staff)
– Centre de services scolaire de l’Énergie
– Centre de services scolaire de la Riveraine
– Centre de services scolaire des Draveurs
– Centre de services scolaire des Portages-de-l’Outaouais
– Centre de services scolaire de la Jonquière
– Centre de services scolaire des Trois-Lacs
– Centre de services scolaire de Laval
– Centre de services scolaire de la Beauce-Etchemin
– Centre de services scolaire des Premières-Seigneuries
– Centre de services scolaire de la Rivière-du-Nord
– Centre de services scolaire des Rives-du-Saguenay
– Centre de services scolaire de la Région-de-Sherbrooke
– Centre de services scolaire de la Pointe-de-l’Île
– Centre de services scolaire des Chic-Chocs
– Centre de services scolaire des Îles
– Centre de services scolaire des Patriotes
– Centre de services scolaire de la Vallée-des-Tisserands
– Centre de services scolaire du Fer
– Centre de services scolaire du Littoral
June 3 p.m. (Anglophone school support staff)
– Eastern Shores School Board
– Eastern Townships School Board