Thousands of parents scrambled to make alternative plans after 120 daycares in greater Montreal and central Quebec were hit by walkouts Monday morning. (MÉLANIE COLLEU/QMI Agency)

MONTREAL - Thousands of parents scrambled to make alternative plans after 120 daycares in greater Montreal and central Quebec were hit by walkouts Monday morning.

The daycare centres are affiliated with the CSN union are currently in contract talks with the province, which decried the strike an unnecessary.

"This decision strikes me as inappropriate because I know that negotiations are progressing and that there is no real blockage at the bargaining table," said Family Minister Yolande James.

"We have just completed intensive negotiations that have already resulted in six regions reaching agreements in principle."

Each of the daycares serves between 60 and 80 children, and they did not provide alternative care for parents. Union spokesman Eric Mondoux denied the minister's suggestion that parents are being held hostage.

"The parents have supported us for some time," said Mondoux, adding that a warning about the strike had been sent to families last week.

Salaries, the retirement funds, vacation funds and training are at issue.

Daycare workers waved placards and held multicoloured balloons Monday morning at a rally east of downtown Montreal.