West Island students walk out in support of Quebec teachers

Students at 10 West Island high schools held a "walkout" this morning in support of their teachers during contract negotiations with the provincial government.

Students at John Rennie High School, Beaconsfield High School, Saint Thomas High School, Lindsay Place High School, Macdonald High School, Lasalle Comprehensive, Lakeside Academy, Westwood Senior High School, Pierrefonds Comprehensive and Riverdale High School said they would stand outside for the first two periods of the day.

Some students demonstrated outside the schools, while others spent their time doing other activities including going to the library.

Some younger grades did not participate in the action. Students at Beurling, Horizon and Westwood Junior also did not participate.

All of the schools are part of the Lester B. Pearson School Board.

Bradley Schapp, a student at John Rennie High School and one of the student organizers of the walkout, told CBC Montreal's Daybreak that teachers need support.

"We just want to show that we're there for the teachers and that they are not alone fighting against this," said Schapp.

The demonstration is both in support of their teachers during stalled negotiations with the province and, at the same time, against pressure tactics by teachers' unions, like cutting extra-curricular activities.

Quebec teachers have been without a contract since April.

Richard Goldfinch, the president of the Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers, said teachers will only work the hours for which they are paid.

"For every hour we do in the school, we do another hour at home," said Goldfinch.

He said teachers countered with a new proposal yesterday for the government as negotiations continue.

Suanne Stein Day, the chairman of the board, said earlier this week that she's discouraging students from walking out.

"The fact that they want to protest is not an issue with us. The problem is the timing of it. We are responsible for the safety, supervision and security of students while they're in classes," Day said.