Louise Chabot, CSQ boss, will continue to fight Quebec government on austerity

A major union of teachers and social workers pledged to continue opposing the Quebec government's austerity plan, despite striking an agreement-in-principle on working conditions.

The Centrale des syndicats du Qubec (CSQ) plans to mobilize its members during general assemblies scheduled in the coming weeks.

"We know that the government continues to want to cut back significantly in child care, health andeducation, and that's a no-go for the ensemble of Quebec society," Louise Chabot, CSQ president, said in an interview with The Canadian Press.

• Quebec and public workers unions reach agreement-in-principle

She said she will ask members to keep pressuring the government to change its tune before the next budget.

"If we do not stop it, it will cause considerable damage to our society", she added.

In one of the upcoming general meetings, CSQ members will be invited to vote on the tentative agreement on work conditions of government employees, signed by a common front of unions on Dec. 17.

Despite many opposing voices, Chabot is confident CSQ members will approve the deal.