Kamloops child care workers negotiate improved wages and benefits
BCGEU
Apr 22 '09

Eighteen workers represented by the BC Government and Service Employees' Union have voted unanimously to ratify their first collective agreement with Children's Circle Childcare Society in Kamloops.

The three year contract includes a two percent wage increase in each year, increases in benefits, and the establishment of an RRSP fund.

BCGEU President Darryl Walker says, "Our union has negotiated an agreement that begins to address the recruitment and retention crisis in child care services by providing better wages and benefits for these child care professionals. These gains are necessary to stabilize the workforce and provide the continuity and quality of care that children and families need."

The BCGEU represents licenced early childhood educators and other child care workers at both Children's Circle worksites, the first unionized child care facility in Kamloops.

The union represents more than 3,000 early childhood educators and family child care providers across BC. The BCGEU works with the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC on the Child Care-Let's Make It Happen! campaign to promote building a universal publicly-funded child care system in BC.