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, Ms. Grenon explained that the union was lowering its wage demand, “to reach an agreement quickly”.
Currently, a qualified educator earns $ 19 per hour in the first step and up to $ 25 per hour in the 10th and final salary step.
The union’s new proposal would result in an increase of 20.3% over three years for the lowest employees and 13.6% for the bottom rung.
Before this counter-proposal, the Fédération de la Centrale des unions du Québec demanded increases totaling 27% for the first level and totaling 21% for the last level.
“This is a major 1/8 step which testifies to 3/8 the goodwill of the workers,” said Valérie Grenon. The ball is now in the government’s court ”.
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 in 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.