CPE union endorses strike mandate

Early childhood center workers in the Eastern Townships have taken a major step in upping pressure to unblock negotiations for provincial arrangements with their employers’ associations and the Quebec Ministry of the Family.

The members of the Syndicat des travailleuses et des travailleurs des centres de la petite enfance de l’estrie (STTCPEECSN voted on Friday to authorize six days of work stoppage to be used at the discretion of the union.

The 850 union members have been without a contract since March 31, 2015, the union decries in a communiqué.

“Workers have sent a clear message to the government and employers,” said Denis Beaudin, president of the Estrie CSN Central Council “The message is that they are determined to obtain an employment contract guaranteeing conditions that allow them to adequately perform their work with children.”

Stéphanie Vachon, president of the STTCPEE, added that, “After 30 negotiating meetings, only non-monetary matters have been agreed upon.”

The communiqué also points out that, “In this negotiation, employer demands represent significant declines not only in the working conditions of unionized workers, but also in the quality of services offered to children.”

“This is more than just an employer/employee conflict,” Vachon added. “Through our demands, we are also trying to ensure the sustainability of the early childhood center network, a network that is reliable and universally praised by the population of Quebec for its provision of quality educational care for our children.”

The union represents 35 early childhood centres employing more than 850 female workers.