Public sector general strike in Quebec enters Day 2, more walkouts later this week

MONTREAL — Unions representing hundreds of thousands of Quebec public sector workers, particularly in health care and education, are on strike again today.

The workers are part of a “common front” of four major unions that have planned a three-day strike until Thursday, which has closed schools and delayed surgeries.

The unions say the government’s most recent contract offer, a 10.3-per-cent salary increase over five years and a one-time payment of $1,000 to each worker, isn’t enough.

Josée Fréchette, a vice-president at a large health-care union, told reporters Tuesday that workers want additional pay for night and weekend shifts and more vacation.