Striking Quebec teachers block the Port of Montreal
CTV
Several hundred striking FAE teachers blocked the entrance to the Port of Montreal on Thursday to put more pressure on the Quebec government to end negotiations and find a deal.
Several hundred striking FAE teachers blocked the entrance to the Port of Montreal on Thursday to put more pressure on the Quebec government to reach a deal.
Their reason for blocking the port was simple: economics.
"The only argument the government seems to understand is money!" said FAE vice-president Patrick Bydal. "Teachers are exasperated and angry at the government's irresponsibility and are making a major economic sacrifice to save public schools! The FAE and the teachers are therefore calling on François Legault to assume his responsibilities and act as a head of state concerned about reaching a satisfactory agreement in principle that will meet the crying needs of teachers, but also of their students, young people and adults."
The Fédération Autonome de l'Enseignement (FAE) represents around 66,000 elementary and high school teachers and it rejected Quebec's latest offer on Wednesday.
Union members formed a line in front of the entrance to the port on Thursday, causing a massive traffic jam of trucks along Notre-Dame Street and Highway 25 in Montreal's Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough.
The strike action was not announced ahead of time.
FAE members have been on indefinite strike since Nov. 23.
