Quebec public-sector strikes start Monday

A Quebec coalition of public-sector workers' unions are preparing for a six-day rotating strike starting Monday.

The umbrella grouprepresents a number of unions, including teachers, health professionals and civil servants.

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On Monday, some54,000 teachers and health-care workers areset to walk off the job inSaguenayLac-St-Jean, theOutaouais,Abitibi-Tmiscamingue, Northern Quebec and in the Laurentians.

Health-care establishments will continue to offer essential services, as required by law. However, expect cafeterias to be closed and non-urgent appointments to be cancelled or rescheduled.

Workers in other parts of the province will alternate work stoppages each day through Thursday.

Further strike dates are planned for November and December if contract talks continue to stall.The unions say the province has been too rigid in its dealing with them.

The common front of unions represents more than 400,000public-sector workers.