A major victory for a teacher in Northern Quebec

ROUYN-NORANDA, QC, June 16, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The Association of Employees of Northern Quebec (AENQ-CSQ) is very satisfied with the arbitration award rendered in April by Arbitrator Maureen Flynn in the case involving teacher Pierre-Luc Bélisle.  Arbitrator Flynn confirmed union claims that the teacher in question suffered damage to his reputation from his employer, the Kativik School Board, after having gone public about some violent incidents. She even ordered financial compensation, and demanded a wide internal dissemination of the decision.

"What we have learned from this story is that the teacher was recognized as being a victim of reputational damage by the Kativik School Board. The Board not only refuted M. Bélisle's remarks where he publicly denounced situations of violence that were ignored by some school board stakeholders, but it also denigrated the professional and personal qualities of the teacher. Fortunately, a new dynamic seems to have been created at the school board that is related to the arrival of new staff. However, there is certainly a lesson to be learned regarding the respect that must be shown to teaching staff," stated Patrick D'Astous, AENQ President.

"In my soul and conscience, I wanted to denounce the violence that existed and that the authorities in control seemed to tolerate, in spite of the complaints received. As teachers, we should never hesitate to denounce violence. It's about our working conditions, but also about the learning conditions of our students. In my opinion, it's clear, the Inuit community of Puvirnituq is entitled to all available resources so that their youth can develop peacefully. The union must continue its good work in this direction," replied M.Pierre-Luc Bélisle. He is now relieved and happy to end this chapter and continue with his teaching career.

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Founded in 1971, the Association of Employees of Northern Quebec (AENQ), affiliated with the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ), has more than 1500 members. It represents teachers and support staff in the Cree and Kativik School Boards and the employees at the early childcare centres (CEC) of the Cree territory.

SOURCE: ASSOCIATION OF EMPLOYEES OF NORTHERN QUEBEC (AENQ-CSQ)

For further information:

Patrick D'Astous, AENQ President
Cellular : 514 916-2396
z77.nord.quebecois@csq.qc.net