[news] CBC News - Quebec Protests Snarl Traffic, Shipping, Day Care

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From: "CBC News Online" <nwonline at toronto.cbc.ca>
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Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2003 9:14 AM
Subject: CBC News - QUEBEC PROTESTS SNARL TRAFFIC, SHIPPING, DAY CARE


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QUEBEC PROTESTS SNARL TRAFFIC, SHIPPING, DAY CARE
WebPosted Thu Dec 11 12:05:53 2003

montreal---Thousands of angry public sector workers across Quebec are
staging what they're calling a day of action to protest against Premier
Jean Charest's plans to merge union locals and to contract out some jobs.


Montreal: Protesters block the docks (CP photo)

The Confederation of National Trade Unions (CNTU) organized the mass
protests. While most of the demonstrations are expected in Montreal,
organizers hope a million people will come out across the province.

Montrealers immediately felt the effects of the protests.

The city's morning bus travel was disrupted after the doors of two bus
garages were sealed. Several highways have been blocked by unionized
protesters.

Protesters are stopping ships from entering ports in Montreal, Quebec
City and Trois-Rivières.

Hospitals in Montreal have cancelled surgeries. Other hospitals across
the province are reduced to essential services. Parents are scrambling to
find child care as more than half of the city's public day care centres
shut down for the day.

Day care workers are opposed to a decision to raise daily day care fees
to $7 from $5.

Charest Thursday called on union leaders to control their membership and
to immediately restore all public services.

"Now is the time for them to act, and to remind their membership that
they have made a personal commitment that they would express themselves
in the spirit of respect," said Charest.

At issue is Charest's proposal to trim the size of the provincial
government and reduce the presence of unions in the health care sector.
The proposed changes to the Labour Code, Bill 31, will make it easier for
private companies and municipalities to contract out work.

Unions are also protesting against plans to merge collective bargaining
units in hospitals and prevent home day care centre workers from
organizing into unions.

CNTU president Arthur Sanborn said Quebec workers didn't vote for these
changes when they elected Charest.

Charest defended his proposed changes, saying the provincial government
needs more outside contracting and more private sector partnerships to
modernize.

Copyright (C) 2003 CBC. All rights reserved.