Faces of the Quebec public sector strike

Quebec public sector workers are holding rotating strikes throughout the week in the wake of stalled negotiations with the provincial government.

Teachers, healthcare workers and civil servantshave not had a contract since April. Frustrated, they have voted overwhelmingly in favour of rotating strike mandates, divided by region.

• Striking Quebec public sector workers cause disruptions in Montreal
• Quebec publicsector worker strikes: Everything you need to know

CBC spoke to some of the faces behind the walkouts and why they are protesting across Quebecthis week.

Barbara Meredith

The 45-year-old from Lavalhas worked for Quebec's workplace health and safety board, theCommission de lasantet de lascuritdu travail (CSST),since 2008. She told CBC that she is frustrated bythe stall in contract negotiations

The province is trying to cut benefits while taking salary increases, said Meredith.

She hopes thatMontrealerswill support public sector workers as they try to negotiate with the government.

Jean-PierreGrenier

A teacher at St.Patrick's High School in Quebec City,Greniersaid his students are directly affected by government cutbacks.

"Kids have been struggling, services have been cut, and we're starting to feel the effects in the classroom," saidGrenier.

Greniersaid that he has a handful of students who need additional support andthat he lacks support staff.

"It's been a slow erosion of services, and Ithink we've had enough of this," said Grenier.

AurianHaller

Haller, an arts consultant withthe Central Quebec School Board, demonstrated in Quebec City on Tuesday. He said that it is important for people to support those who help and teach students.

"Lots of my friends are that extra help for those students in need, andit's really important," saidHaller.

Hallerbrought his young daughter to a demonstration because he told her it was important to support her classmates.

"I come from a teaching family. Everybody knows how important it is tosupport staff who workwith teachers."

Stacey Monk

A teacher from Cedarcrest Elementary School at the English Montreal School Board, Monk explained the walkout on social media.

Monk took toFacebook to dispel rumours of teachers being paid during the rotating strikes.

"We are relinquishing 2.5 per cent of our yearly salary in order to stand with our colleagues and say ENOUGH, we can not, and will not take any more," wrote Monk.

She goes on to write that"budgets are being cut, our buildings are in disrepair and children with special needs are only increasing in our classrooms, with less and less in terms of resources to help them succeed."

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