Latest news with #EricGingras
CTV News
a day ago
- Business
- CTV News
Union laments uncertainty for students, staff ahead of back-to-school
CSQ president Eric Gingras lays out the union's plans for this year during a news conference, Monday, Jan. 8, 2024 in Montreal. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press) Just weeks before the start of the school year, the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ) is arguing that its members, including teachers, professionals, support staff and parents, are in limbo regarding the services that students will receive. The union group said on Monday that this widespread uncertainty was caused by the Quebec government's announcement that it was implementing $570 million in budget cuts last June. That announcement was followed by a $540 million reinvestment in mid-July. The last-minute reversal comes on top of a hiring freeze that was imposed last November. The union said it wants to know how many speech therapists, special education assistants and special education technicians will be able to work this year, as well as how many hours those working part-time will have. CSQ president Éric Gingras said Monday he found it ironic that the government was constantly arguing for the need for staffing predictability during the last round of collective agreement bargaining. He pointed out that the turmoil in the sector today is a result of the government's decisions. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 18, 2025.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Budget cuts and back to school: CEGEPs left behind, argues CSQ
Éric Gingras, president of the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ), photographed during a press conference on January 8, 2024, in Montreal. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press) Why is François Legault's government saying it will reinvest money in primary and secondary education – after initially announcing budget cuts – but isn't doing the same for CEGEPs? That's a question the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ) had for the government at its annual press conference ahead of the start of the school year. Thursday, CSQ President Éric Gingras said he wondered if the age of the students affected means that the $151 million in budget cuts to colleges, announced last June, just aren't making as many waves. 'CEGEPs are often left behind,' he said, noting that if the government does impose budget cuts, 'in two or three days, no one will be talking about it anymore.' Alongside him at the press conference, the presidents of the professional, teaching, and support staff federations argued that the cuts are in addition to the hiring freeze for staff who do not provide direct services to students, something that was announced last November. The measures come at a time when CEGEP enrolment is growing. Additionally, the union representatives point out that a report by the auditor general shows that two-thirds of college facilities are in poor condition. – This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 14, 2024.
