Twenty years ago, on May 30, 2002, trade unionist Claudette Carbonneau was elected president of the Confederation of National Trade Unions (CSN). Our archives testify to this woman’s long career dedicated to defending workers ’rights and the issue of equal pay in Quebec.
On May 30, 2002, the outgoing CSN president, Marc Laviolette, was defeated by vice president Claudette Carbonneau with a tight mark of 805 against 750 votes.
In the CSN, where presidents are traditionally elected without opposition, this has not been seen since 1946.
Journalist Gilles Morin attended the central trade union convention held in Quebec.
Initially, Claudette Carbonneau had the support of six of the nine CSN federations. The longtime unionist earned points on pay equity and child care workers ’files.
In their negotiations in May 1999, the educators earned a huge catch-up salary of 35% over four years.
Claudette Carbonneau came to the head of CSN with a more consensual style than her predecessors.
His activism began in the 1970s.
After studying political science, he became involved in social work. It was while working in the food service at Notre-Dame Hospital in Montreal that he discovered unionism.
He is also president of the Notre-Dame Hospital union, general secretary of the Federation of Social Affairs and of the Central Council of Montreal. In 1991, he became vice president of CSN.
These archive extracts show him as president of the Notre-Dame Hospital employees ’union in 1978 and as vice-president of CSN in 1993.
In 1978, after the dismissal of three employees, hospital union members chose to conduct a 24-hour walkout per week to force the hospital administration to review its service rationalization policy.
On December 12, 1978 at TonightClaudette Carbonneau asks the employer to respect the collective agreement.
In 1993, CSN took the pay equity case to court. To CBC Hello On February 11, 1993, CSN vice president explained to journalist Maxence Bilodeau the principle of equal pay, which requires that for equal work, equal pay be paid to men and women.
” We do not hesitate to pay enough to an artist or electrician in our society, but when it comes to caring for the sick and there, we consider it to be natural activities entirely in extending the responsibilities performed by women in their homes. “
In 2011, CSN held its 63rd annual convention, the latter by President Claudette Carbonneau, which then called for the renewal of unionism.
Sa Newscastjournalist Solveig Miller examines Claudette Carbonneau’s tenure as president of CSN from 2002 to 2011.
By the end of her term and in her nine years as president, Claudette Carbonneau believes the pay equity file has made significant progress.
Before giving way to his vice president Louis Roy, he invited the labor movement to mobilize for youth, change and the environment.
At the end of his last term at CSN, the union leader faced some criticism after union members of the Journal de Montréal suffered a severe setback. However, he said he did not decide to leave CSN because of a labor dispute with the Journal de Montréal.
His greatest achievements remain struggles for the rights of daycare educators and for the establishment of a Quebec parental insurance plan.
Claudette Carbonneau remained the head of CSN for three terms.
Source: Radio-Canada
