Advertisement

Child care unions vote 95 per cent in favour of strike mandate

Members of the Federation of Early Childhood Workers of the CSQ (FIPEQ-CSQ) voted 95% in favor of a six-day strike. Getty Images

Members of a union representing early childhood workers in Quebec have voted 95 per cent in favour of a six-day strike.

The Federation of Early Childhood Workers of the CSQ (FIPEQ-CSQ) said the days will be used at the appropriate time.

READ MORE: Quebec daycare workers begin rotating strike as talks set to resume

Workers have been without a renewed collective agreement for the last 18 months.

The federation met on Tuesday with the minister responsible for government administration, Sonia LeBel, and noted the minister’s openness to the search for solutions to the negotiations.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

No offer was made following Tuesday’s meeting.

READ MORE: Rotating strikes continue at Quebec home daycares

The union intends to leave room for negotiation in the coming days, while the next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 7.

Story continues below advertisement

It is therefore not expected that the strike days will be used before this date, “unless there is a blockage,” said the president of the FIPEQ-CSQ, Valérie Grenon.

The federation is asking for salary increases for educators of 27 per cent over three years.

Currently, the salary for a qualified educator is $19 per hour and can go up to a maximum of $25 per hour.

The federation is also asking for a “COVID bonus,” stressing that the service offered by daycare centres was considered to be an essential service during the pandemic.

The union represents 13,000 members in various childcare services, including CPEs (Centres de la Petite Enfance or early childhood centres_.

The Federation of the Centrale des Unions du Québec is also calling for a minimum level of employment for those who support educators such as maintenance workers and specialized educators.

Sponsored content

AdChoices