City day-care workers … to join union
The Daily News - Kamloops
07 Apr 2008

B.C. Government and Service Employees Union is in the midst of an organizing drive for Kamloops child-care centres and has applied to the Labour Relations Board to certify….

Vi-Anne Zirnhelt, executive director for Children's Circle Childcare Society, said the union held a membership drive for the downtown centre and has applied for certification for about 14 workers.

The union is also in talks with workers at Cariboo Childcare Society, on the Thompson Rivers University campus, where it wants to unionize another 22 workers. …

Zirnhelt said the non-profit society didn't oppose the union drive and doesn't anticipate having to raise fees to settle a first contract.

"For the most part (the board is) supportive of the concept."

Zirnhelt said a unionized workforce may make it easier to attract and retain committed employees. While the society is opening its new, $600,000 St. Paul Street centre this month it has only half the number of workers it needs to operate.

The society has increased wages and brought in a standard grid in a bid to attract and keep early-childhood educators.

"Indications are from the union we're not far off the mark (on wages)," Zirnhelt said.