Education professionals with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) in Quebec have reached a new collective agreement with the Government of Quebec, which was signed in Quebec City on Tuesday afternoon. The new three-year contract runs from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2023 and calls for wage increases of 2 per cent per year and an improved salary scale to take effect in 2022. In addition, improvements to working conditions will make it easier to attract and retain personnel.
The central table negotiations, which dealt mainly with wages, were conducted under the auspices of the Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ). The other session involving the “sectorial tables” focused on other working conditions.
“The results of this round of negotiations are a major step forward in recognizing the expertise of professional education personnel, which is essential to the academic success of students. The fight is far from over. The practice must become attractive once again in public schools in comparison with the private sector. During the election, this government said it wanted to focus on education. The upcoming negotiations will be a moment of truth,” said Julie Tassé, president of the Syndicat des professionnelles et professionnels Laval‒Rive-Nord (SPPLRN-CUPE 5222).
The SPPLRN represents 940 education professionals in 32 job categories across the three school service centres (des Affluents, Laval and Mille-Îles).