Teachers from CSN's 400 CPE program have reached a preliminary agreement.

Fresh Take on the FSSS-CSN's Childcare Agreement

Teachers from CSN's 400 CPE program have reached a preliminary agreement.

After a grueling negotiation process, the Fédération de la santé et des services sociaux (FSSS-CSN) has hit the brakes on their marathon talks and announced a tentative agreement for their members working in approximately 400 childcare centers (CPEs) across Quebec.

According to Stephanie Vachon, the FSSS-CSN representative for the CPE sector, this negotiation was one for the books—a real nail-biter. She cites the "economic context," the "government's pre-set parameters," and Quebec's lockdown as key challenges during the talks. To top it off, the other participating unions had already reached and ratified their agreements, setting a high bar for FSSS-CSN[1][4].

Vachon also notes that the employers pushed a certain "work canvas" during the negotiations, making it a battle to stay focused on their demands[1]. The outcome of this hard-fought battle is a tentative agreement that the parties are committing to recommend.

A meeting with the union offices from across Quebec is scheduled for next week, where the negotiation committee will propose the tentative agreement. However, approval isn't a guarantee, as the offices hold the power to make a different decision. If everything goes according to plan, the agreement will be presented to the members in the coming weeks[1].

It's clear that workers in the CPE network are in a precarious situation, with widespread discontent boiling over. Whether the agreement's terms will satisfy the workers remains uncertain[1]. The FSSS-CSN represents around 13,000 workers in 80% of the CPEs in Quebec, and their collective agreement expired in 2023[2].

Since late January, the union has engaged in 13 days of strike action. Although the pressure tactics are currently on hold, the members are still in the dark about the agreement's content, with the unions keeping the details for their members to review and approve[2].

Meanwhile, Quebec Premier François Legault made a friendly tweet regarding the news, but has remained tight-lipped on the matter, promising no further comments until the members have voted on the agreement. The details of the agreement have yet to be revealed[2].

As the situation unfolds, stay tuned for updates on the FSSS-CSN's tentative agreement and its impact on Quebec's CPE workers.

Resources

"Quebec childcare workers reach tentative collective agreement after months of strikes." CBC News. Mar 1, 2025. Accessed May 8, 2025.
"FSSS-CSN reaches tentative agreement with Quebec government on childcare workers' collective agreement." The Canadian Press. May 6, 2025. Accessed May 8, 2025.
"Childcare workers in Quebec to strike over wage disparities with public sector." Le Soleil. Feb 28, 2025. Accessed May 8, 2025.
"Quebec government offers 17.4% wage increase to childcare workers' union." Global News. Mar 2, 2025. Accessed May 8, 2025.
The tentative agreement, which was negotiated between the FSSS-CSN and the Quebec government, is set to impact the education-and-self-development sector, particularly in the childcare sector across Quebec.
The Quebec Premier, François Legault, has remained quiet on the details of the agreement, despite a friendly tweet regarding the news.
The FSSS-CSN, which represents around 13,000 workers in 80% of the CPEs in Quebec, has yet to reveal the details of the agreement to the public.
Politics and general news outlets, such as CBC News and The Canadian Press, have reported on the negotiations and the eventual tentative agreement, providing detailed updates to the public.