Family daycare workers claim frustrating start to negotiations

After several months of delay, negotiations for the renewal of collective agreements have finally begun for thousands of family daycare workers in Quebec.

However, the largest group, the Fédération des intervenantes en petite enfance du Québec (FIPEQ,) affiliated with the CSQ, says it is dissatisfied with the offer received from the Legault government on April 11.

“If he wanted to axe family daycares, if this is his solution, he found it. There are people who will leave. How do you want to attract a new generation if we reduce working conditions?” said FIPEQ president Valérie Grenon.

She explained that Quebec’s law calls for six hours of compulsory professional training per year for workers.

The Quebec government used to pay $85 for the mandatory training, but no longer wants to.

She says that Quebec also wants to abolish a committee to discuss childcare service issues.

“Financially, it’s not enough,” said Grenon.

Family daycare workers are not paid the same as workers in public childhood centres.

The latter are paid by the hour, while workers in a family environment receive a subsidy from the Family Ministry to cover their salary and the daycare expenses, such as groceries and toys.

Grenon explains that for a daycare who takes care of six children, for example, receives an increase equivalent to 12.7 per cent over five years, but inflation is higher than that.

Despite this somewhat frustrating start, FIPEQ, which represents 8,500 family daycare workers, want to roll up their sleeves.

Another negotiation meeting is planned for May 6 and Grenon says the government seems ready to add more dates.

FIPEQ has not requested mediation, but it is not closing the door to the idea.

When asked whether workers will use harder pressure tactics, Grenon replied saying,  “for the moment, no.”

The collective agreement for the FIPEQ’s 8,500 family daycare workers expired on March 31, 2023.

FIPEQ first submitted its demands in September 2023.

On April 11, 2024, Quebec submitted its offer.

They haven’t tabled a proposal for public daycare workers.

FIPEQ represents more than 11,000 workers in various childcare services in Quebec.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews