20,000 signatures on a petition from Quebec daycare workers

A petition with nearly 20,000 signatures was tabled at the National Assembly on Wednesday, in support of  Centres de la petite enfance (CPE) workers currently negotiating the renewal of their collective agreement.

Sponsored by Joël Arseneau, Parti Québécois (PQ) MNA for Îles-de-la-Madeleine, the petition aims to support the demands of these workers for better pay, less workload and more resources to provide services to children.

This petition shows just how much support there is for workers in childcare centers,” says Stéphanie Vachon, CPE sector representative for the CSN-affiliated Fédération de la santé et des services sociaux.

It was signed by parents, workers and “Mr. and Mrs. Everyone,” she points out.

Negotiations between Quebec and the unions representing these childcare workers have been going on since the spring.

Since there is a shortage of childcare workers, and Quebec wants to develop thousands of spaces to meet needs, it is looking to “optimize” existing resources.

However, Vachon notes that these workers are already exhausted and often leave the profession because of the salary and the scope of the work.

She reports that Quebec is not yet offering wage increases of 17.4 per cent over five years, as was granted to all government employees. “To qualify, they’re asking us to accept setbacks in our current employment conditions,” she argues.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews