Striking child-care workers have filed a complaint accusing SFU Child Care Society of trying to intimidate union members.

In a complaint to B.C.'s Labour Relations Board Oct. 1, the union alleges the society tried to bargain directly with employees and phoned workers to tell them their program would be shut down.

The 24-page document also alleges the society sent out record of employment slips to workers. The slips are typically issued when an employee quits or is fired.

"The society has engaged in tactics to coerce and intimidate union members," the complaint states.

A strike of the centre's 67 workers has put programs on hold since Sept. 17, after negotiations between the B.C. Government Service and Employees' Union and the society broke down.

Pat Frouws, executive director of SFU Child Care Society, declined to discuss the complaint.

Meanwhile, some parents are questioning the society's handling of the strike.

A letter posted on a SFU parent-run website accuses the society's executive of ignoring parents' concerns.

"Anyone who speaks out is subject to insults or vilification," says the letter, signed by Kate Awai, Wendy Chan, Paulina Chow-White, Kate Slaney, Jennifer Ramsey and Cynthia Van Ginkel.

At a heated society board meeting last week, one person fainted and an ambulance was called.

Union spokesperson Chris Mullen says infighting has left negotiations at a standstill.

"The society seems like it's in chaos," Mullen said in an interview.

"We're not sure the society has a mandate to bargain any more. We're not really sure where it leaves us."

But Frouws said the society's bargaining committee has "strong support" from parents.

The committee has, however, been overwhelmed by the stress of the negotiations, she said.

One member of the executive has resigned, she said, adding the woman who fainted at last week's meeting did so as a result stress.

Last month, Frouws told the NOW the society is considering meeting workers' wage demands temporarily, then closing down when its funds run out. Other options include shutting down under-three programs, which are more expensive to run than programs for older children.

The union's complaint states Frouws should have told the union it was considering those options before talking about them in the media.

Workers have asked for pensions and increases to wages, which now max out at $16 per hour for senior workers.

The province, the City of Burnaby and Simon Fraser University have declined requests for emergency funding, the society has said…

Parents held a rally Oct. 3 to support the striking workers and demand more provincial and federal funding for child care.

Frouws said the society made an offer to the union on Oct. 2.

The two sides were scheduled to meet with a negotiator to discuss the offer today (Wednesday).

"We're hopeful," Frouws added.