Quebec public sector strikes: More demonstrations held

Hundreds of Quebec public sector workers held a demonstrationnear Montreal'sWorld Trade Centre on Thursday as part of another round of rotating strikes,even after the province obtained an injunction to prevent themfrom blocking access to government buildings.

• Public sector offer: Martin Coiteux still wants settlement 'within weeks'
• Quebec public sector worker strikes: Everything you need to know
• Faces of the Quebec public sector strike

The union representing parapublic workers organized the demonstration to call attention to stalledcontract negotiations with the Quebec government.

22 arrested for mischief

Policearrested 22 people for mischief Thursday near Finance Minister Carlos Leitao's riding office in Dollard-des-Ormeaux.

Police saidthose arrestedappear to be linked to demonstrations by public sector workers.

Police spokesmanSgt. Laurent Gingras saidit'sbelieved the suspects also entered Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Jean-Marc Fournier's riding officein Saint-Laurent.

Both offices were defaced with stickers andpapers were thrown around, Gingrassaid.

The suspects werereleased with summonsto appear.

Injunction granted

On Wednesday, Quebec superior court ruled in favour of an injunction that prohibits workers from parapublic agencies, such as RAMQ and SAQ, from blocking access to government buildings.

Teachers, health-care professionals and civil servants are on strike in nine different regionsThursdayandFriday.

Parapublicagencies,comprised of37,000 employees, are alsoholding province-wide walkouts.

Regions on strike for Nov. 12and 13:

• Bas-Saint-Laurent
• Capitale-Nationale
• Mauricie
• Estrie
• Cte-Nord
• Gaspsie-les-de-la-Madeleine
• Chaudire-Appalaches
• Montrgie
• Central Quebec

Stalled contract negotiations

The walkouts were planned in case negotiations with the Quebec government remained at an impasse.

Last Friday, Quebec labour unions rejected the provincial government's latest offer in contract negotiations, calling it "unacceptable."

The province is offering a three per cent salary hike spread out over five years. Public sectors workers are asking for 13 per cent.

"Three per cent over five years doesn't even cover the costs of living," said Lucie Chabot, the president of the CSQ.

Public sector workers have been without a collective agreement since April.

More strikes planned

The SPGQ, a union representing Quebec white-collar workers, has voted in favour of a strike mandate. It could start as early as Nov. 18 if negotiations continue to stall.

The union represents 17,000 publicsector workers,4,400 Revenu Qubec employees andother governmental experts.

Montreal and Laval will hold public sector strikes on Nov. 16 and Nov. 17.

FourMontreal school boards have confirmed their teachers and support staff will go on strike those days as well:Commission scolaire de Montral,Lester B. Pearson,English Montreal and Commission scolaireMarguerite-Bourgeoys.

Strike dates are also planned for Dec. 1-3 province-wide.