Quebec tables new offer to striking workers, unions turn it down

Update: Quebec unions reject new offer, ask for more money as Legault demands flexibility

The Quebec government tabled new wage increases for public sector workers Wednesday in a bid to wrap up negotiations and end the strike. But some of the unions representing workers on the picket lines have already turned it down.

Those unions are part of a common front, known in French as the Front commun, which represents about 420,000 public sector workers in education, health and social services. Late last month, it announced plans for a one-week strike starting this Friday.

The strike will continue until next Thursday.

In a press release, the office of Treasury Board Minister Sonia LeBel announced its base offer increase of 12.7 per cent for all public sector employees over five years, up from the 10.3 per cent the government was offering in October. 

For other workers, the proposed increase would have risen to 16.7 percent, up from 14.8 per cent in the previous offer.

"We are determined to quickly resolve this, and we invite the unions to move forward with us," said LeBel.

However, the common front quickly rejected the offer.

On Facebook, the common front said the latest base offer of 12.7 per cent is still several percentage points below inflation, which they argue still effectively amounts to a pay cut.

"Without a clause guaranteeing protections on purchasing power and a catch-up on wages, it won't be possible to reach an agreement," read the Facebook post.

The common front has asked for salary increases closer to 20 per cent over three years.

With negotiations at a standstill, the striking workers with the common front remain on track to strike as of Friday.

Another group, the Fédération autonome de l'enseignement (FAE) which represents about 65,000 teachers in the province, has been on an unlimited strike since Nov. 23. That strike has forced many French-language schools in the province to shut down, keeping about 368,000 students at home.

On Friday, the common front is expected to begin a seven-day strike. This would shut down every school in the province.