After voting to strike, local teachers began their protest against proposed budget cuts on October 28th.
Despite the rain and frigid weather, members of the Chateauguay Valley Teacher’s Association took to the streets of their respective towns on Wednesday, October 28th after 86% of nearly 250 teachers voted in favour of a strike. The protest, which is said to include walk-offs on six different days, is a reaction to the possibility of approximately 360 million in budget cuts to the education system. Teachers are hoping that their actions can sway a favourable outcome in relation to the current negotiations with the Quebec Education Ministry, which may threaten the size of classrooms, not to mention special needs programs. The closures that are brought on as a result of the strike may be seen as an attempt of behalf of the teachers to come to an agreement that is favourable for everyone.
According to New Frontier School Board Director General Rob Buttars, the strike puts the school board in a difficult position. “Disruptions in the school system are difficult for everyone involved,’ said Buttars. ‘Student success is our focus, and we hope to reach a favourable agreement soon so everything can get back to normal.”
As of November 2nd, the NFSB announced that all schools, centres and administrative services will be closed on Thursday, November 12th and Friday, November 13th.
