MONTREAL — More than 400,000 government workers are off the job today across Quebec, including teachers, health-care workers and civil servants.
The majority of the province's schools are closed while health and government offices are maintaining essential services.
Workers are protesting contract talks that have been lagging since collective agreements expired last March.
Those on strike include members of a common front of public and para-public sector unions as well as a union representing one-third of the province's teachers.
Major demonstrations are taking place in Montreal and Quebec City and several government buildings have picketers stationed in front.
Premier Philippe Couillard, who is in Paris for the international conference on climate change, said he deplores the action given the province has already reached tentative agreements on certain issues with several unions.
