The Quebec government has intervened in a labor dispute disrupting operations at the “Le Jardin de Robi” daycare center in Roberval, Quebec. A government decree, leveraging newly enacted legislation requiring essential service providers to maintain minimum operations during strikes or lockouts, mandates that the employer and union representatives present their case before the Administrative Labour Tribunal (TAT).
The tribunal will determine whether the daycare’s activities must continue at a minimum level to avoid disproportionately impacting the local population. Should the TAT deem continued service necessary, both sides will have seven days to reach an agreement on the scope of those services, an agreement that will then require tribunal approval. Neither the employer nor the union has publicly commented on the decree.
Nancy Guillemette, the Member of the National Assembly for Roberval, explained that the government’s intervention is solely aimed at resolving the impasse at the daycare, expressing concern over the conflict’s impact on residents. The new law, which came into effect last November, is being applied for the first time in this instance, specifically concerning the Roberval daycare. Approximately 84 children are enrolled at “Le Jardin de Robi.”
This intervention occurs against a broader backdrop of labor unrest within Quebec’s publicly funded daycare system, known as CPEs. Recent months have seen escalating pressure from unions representing daycare workers, primarily focused on addressing wage disparities with public sector employees.
In April 2025, unions representing approximately 13,000 daycare workers across 400 CPEs initiated strike action. The Fédération de la santé et des services sociaux (FSSS), affiliated with the CSN, led the charge, announcing a series of strike days throughout January, February, March, and April. As of , workers had completed 13 strike days, with no further strikes planned immediately, though the possibility remained contingent on negotiation progress.
The core issue driving the dispute is salary. The government has offered a 17.4 percent increase over five years, a figure it has characterized as firm. However, the union argues that alternative solutions exist to address salary inequities within the broader public sector. Stéphanie Vachon, a representative of the CPE sector at the FSSS, stated on , that the “salary conditions” represent the primary obstacle to a resolution, suggesting that resolving this issue would pave the way for agreement on other matters.
The situation at “Le Jardin de Robi” reflects a wider pattern of labor negotiations within the CPE network. While three other unions representing workers in CPEs – the Fédération des intervenantes en petite enfance (CSQ), the Syndicat québécois des employés de service (SQEES), and the Syndicat des métallos (FTQ) – have already reached settlements, the FSSS-CSN remains locked in dispute. This suggests a divergence in negotiating strategies or priorities among the different union factions.
The government’s use of the new legislation to compel negotiations at “Le Jardin de Robi” signals a willingness to intervene directly in labor disputes deemed essential to public welfare. This approach raises questions about the balance between the right to strike and the government’s responsibility to ensure continuity of critical services, particularly childcare. The TAT’s decision will be closely watched by other CPEs and unions, potentially setting a precedent for future labor disputes within the sector.
The broader context of Quebec’s childcare system is also relevant. CPEs are publicly funded daycares designed to provide affordable, high-quality childcare to families. They operate under a different model than private daycares, with a greater emphasis on pedagogical quality and accessibility. The current labor dispute highlights the financial pressures facing the CPE system and the challenges of attracting and retaining qualified childcare workers.
In December 2024, Quebec’s family daycare managers reached an agreement with the provincial government, representing approximately 9,000 Responsables de services éducatifs (RSE). This agreement, however, does not directly address the concerns of the 13,000 CPE workers currently in dispute, underscoring the fragmented nature of the childcare labor landscape in Quebec.
The outcome of the negotiations at “Le Jardin de Robi” and the broader FSSS-CSN dispute will have significant implications for families relying on CPE services, as well as for the future of Quebec’s publicly funded childcare system. The government’s intervention, while aimed at resolving the immediate crisis, also raises broader questions about the long-term sustainability of the CPE model and the need for ongoing investment in the childcare workforce.
