Following the government's new offer, school support staff are more determined than ever to maintain their strike day on November 6, according to the Syndicat du personnel de soutien des Trois-Lacs. 

"We were promised something interesting, something new, but we get the impression that we're being laughed at," says Éric Vézina, president of the SPSTL-CSQ. He continues: "If he was looking for a way to solidarize the members, he succeeded."

Average salary

The average salary of school support staff is half that of workers in the province. "At $26,484 a year, it's very difficult to keep up with rising food prices and the cost of living. We have to change this, otherwise the labour shortage will reach record levels in our schools, which will lead to even more service breakdowns," maintains Mr. Vézina.

Increasing hours

Staff shortages are a major issue for members of the SPSTL. The union is calling for specific measures to improve staff attraction and retention. "This means quality jobs with full-time positions, an end to broken schedules, the valuing of all school support jobs and family-work balance. We need concrete action and active listening from the government to solve these problems," concludes Éric Vézina.