The Federation of Early Childhood Workers of Quebec (FIPEQ-CSQ) rejects the latest offer from the Quebec government, but downgrades its wage demands.
The FIPEQ-CSQ tabled on Sunday a counter-proposal to the government’s offer and if an agreement does not come about by next Thursday, the workers of the CPEs promise to hold other days of strike.
For Valérie Grenon, president of the FIPEQ-CSQ, the offer presented by the president of the Treasury Board, Sonia LeBel on Friday, has several shortcomings even if “the gap is not so great” between the two parties.
At a press conference in a Quebec childcare center, Mr.me Grenon explained that the union was lowering its wage demand, “to reach an agreement quickly”.
Currently, a qualified educator earns $ 19 an hour at the first level and up to $ 25 an hour at the 10e and last salary step.
The federation is increasing its salary demands from 21% to 27% to 13.6% to 20.3% over three years depending on the employment group.
This is a major step [qui témoigne de] the goodwill of the workers. The ball is now in the government’s court.
Valérie Grenon, President of the FIPEQ-CSQ
Quebec’s latest proposal provides for a salary increase of up to 20.22% over three years for qualified educators, but 15% for unqualified educators and 9.3% for support employees of childcare centers.
According to the FIPEQ, Quebec does not offer the same increases to “other” childcare workers who support educators, that is, employees in the kitchen or housekeeping, for example.
“The CPEs are a big family, our salary scales have been designed with the principles of pay equity, we will not drop any job body,” said Valérie Grenon.
The FIPEQ also claims a minimum of employment for these workers who come to support the educators.
“If there is no significant progress by Thursday, there will be other days of strike”, promised Valérie Grenon.