Daycare workers in Montreal and Laval set to begin indefinite strike

MONTREAL – Workers at 57 public daycare centres in Montreal and Laval are expected to begin an indefinite strike this morning.

The employers’ association asked the union representing the workers to delay the strike since it made an offer on Monday night and was still waiting for a response.

Employers’ spokeswoman Chantal Bellavance says several concessions have been made and calls the planned walkout “a little hasty.”

But Nathalie Fontaine, a negotiator with the CSN-affiliated union, argues there has been no significant progress in the negotiations so the strike will proceed.

Fontaine says both sides remain far apart on key issues and the strike would begin even if negotiations were to continue.

Bellavance says the wage issue has been settled but working conditions and seniority remain unresolved.

Quebec has 993 public daycare centres.