Unwavering Support for Teachers' Courage

Since the launch of the indefinite general strike by the 66,500 teachers of the Autonomous Teachers' Federation (FAE) on November 23, support from the public has been pouring in daily. Apart from the constant honking of car horns, the teachers' picket lines are regularly visited by members of the community who bring them coffee and food. Restaurateurs also serve pizza or chicken to striking teachers in their neighborhoods, and shopkeepers offer discounts on purchases. Operation Entraide pour les profs en grève (Operation Support for the Teachers on Strike) was also set up to help FAE members meet various needs, as they have been without pay or strike funds for nearly three weeks.

On December 11, the Steelworkers announced a donation of $100,000 in grocery gift cards for the families of public sector strikers.

The group Je protège mon école publique (I Support My Public School), which also organizes human chains around schools, said:

"The media frequently point out that FAE teachers have valiantly decided to go on unlimited general strike without a strike fund, which obviously causes problems. But solidarity initiatives are also being organized, such as this self-help group between teachers (whether they are with the FAE or the Common Front), and these shopkeepers who have also decided to support these strikers who want to improve public schools. "

The struggle of public sector workers is also receiving support outside Quebec. The Ontario Federation of Labour expressed its support at its convention in early November, and Education International did the same in a press release on November 14.

(Quotations translated from French original by Workers' Forum.)

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This article was published in

Number 61 - December 15, 2023

Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/WF2023/Articles/WO10614.HTM

Website:  www.cpcml.ca   Email:  editor@cpcml.ca