Family daycares strike in Montreal, Montérégie and Quebec City

QUEBEC CITY – Home daycare workers are fed up.

The Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ) estimates about 500 daycare workers marched in Châteauguay and Quebec City on Wednesday.

They’re asking Quebec’s Family Minister for a 5% pay increase to recognize the long hours they spend working.

Kim Bensimhon from St-Laurent told Global News she works at least 50 hours a week in her daycare, but she’s only paid for 35.

“Fifty hours is only the hours we work with the kids,” she said.

“After that we’re self-employed so we have to do the groceries, the accounting, the shopping, the cleaning.”

So far, the government hasn’t recognized the extra 15 hours of work daycare operators say they do, and is offering a 0.5% increase over the next three years.

“We’ve been patient enough, said CSQ President Louise Chabot.

“It’s time daycare workers get proper recognition.”

Negotiations with the government began over a year ago.

“We’re trying to go at the speed we should go,” said Family Minister Francine Charbonneau on her way into a cabinet meeting.

“Talking is when you have someone in front of you and you can do it. Right now it’s not what we’re getting.”

The minister did have one message for parents with no place to send their children during the strikes.

“I’m sorry, I’m really sorry. I hope it doesn’t go on because what they have to do everyday to find a place, to find help for their children is unacceptable,” Charbonneau said.

“I didn’t say it’s easy,” added Bensimhon.

“I’m a mother myself and I understand it’s hard but we have their support because they see firsthand the work we do with their own children.”

Daycares in the Saguenay, lower St. Lawrence and the North Shore will strike Thursday.

A province-wide walkout is also planned for next Monday.