While the Centre de services scolaires des Trois-Lacs still has some thirty teaching positions to fill, what about support workers? 

"As of Tuesday, August 29, there were still six unfilled positions for daycare educators. If you'd asked me this question last week, the picture would have been very different, since we were short 72 educators and 15 Special Educator Technicians. We're talking about employees who provide services to students on a daily basis," says Éric Vézina, President of the Syndicat du personnel de soutien du Centre de services scolaires des Trois-Lacs (SPSTL).

While the news is reassuring for parents, students, the Centre de services scolaires des Trois-Lacs and employees, Éric Vézina remains cautious. 

"If, during the course of the year, there are retirements, sick leave, maternity leave or resignations, we understand that the list of replacements is likely to be quickly exhausted. Many of those who were on the list last year have obtained a position this year. 10 or 15 years ago, the replacement list was pretty full. As soon as there was an absence, calls were made and the position was quickly filled. Today, this is no longer the case. It's definitely an issue we'll be keeping an eye on this year," says the president.

Back to class, but also back to the negotiating table

The summer season was rather quiet in terms of negotiations. However, the issues didn't take a vacation. 

According to Éric Vézina, "negotiations are going nowhere. We're hearing everywhere that the government wants to intensify negotiations, but what we're hearing from our negotiators is the opposite. It's truly deplorable."

In November 2022, the Fédération du personnel de soutien, a member of the Centrale syndicale du Québec, tabled its demands at the bargaining table. 

"The government came back to us with its offer in December. Then we had a few meetings, but there was very little progress. Between 70% and 80% of our members still have precarious status. In the midst of a labor shortage, it makes no sense to us that positions are still being offered at 10, 15 or 20 hours a week," adds the president.

Classroom help far from a solution

For Éric Vézina, the classroom assistance pilot project launched by Québec in 2022 is a good idea in itself, but not a miracle solution. 

In 2022, 100 schools have been selected to take part in the pilot project. A similar number will be eligible this year, bringing the total to 200 schools.

"It's a positive thing, yes, because our members will be able to give a helping hand to students in difficulty, which will lighten teachers' workloads. It will also boost the number of hours worked by some of our members. That said, it's not a miracle solution - the students' needs are too great for classroom assistance. One thing is certain: we have the available and competent staff to deliver the goods."

No strike... yet

As for the teachers, the members of the SPSTL are continuing their pressure tactics, in the hope of reaching an agreement. 

"For the moment, nothing specific has been determined. We will continue our visibility actions, but if nothing moves at government level, we will certainly intensify our pressure tactics," says Éric Vézina. 

"We hear a lot about strikes, but it's important for the public to understand that for us, it's the ultimate means. We prefer to put forward solutions to offer better services to students, improve job quality, increase employee salaries and ensure that everyone benefits. In the event that nothing works, then we can consider a strike," concludes the president.