Daycare workers union agrees to new collective agreement with Quebec
Posted December 24, 2024 9:11 am.
The Syndicat québécois des employées et employés de service (SQEES) reached an agreement in principle with Quebec on Monday about the collective agreement for early childcare workers (CPEs).
The SQEES, along with the Steelworkers union, both affiliated with the FTQ, said in a press release that the agreement in principle will be presented to members for adoption in January 2025.
Union members held a three-day strike in December, affecting a total of 19 daycare centres.
SQEES-FTQ President Sylvie Nelson said she was satisfied with the agreement in principle.
“We wanted to be recognized, we wanted our work to be recognized and to be able to resolve certain problems,” she said in an interview.
“Our negotiating committee worked all day today (Monday) to actually reach an agreement in principle,” she added.
The collective agreement for CPE workers expired in March 2023. The dispute mainly concerned salaries.
“I am announcing, with Minister Suzanne Roy, an agreement in principle was reached with two unions affiliated with the FTQ for more than 730 childcare workers,” wrote Treasury Board President Sonia LeBel in a post on the X on Monday evening. She added that she and Minister Roy will not comment until members have voted on the agreement.
On Sunday, the CSQ-affiliated Fédération des intervenantes en petite enfance (FIPEQ) reached an agreement in principle with Quebec.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
