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UBC Childcare professionals seeking parity wages, bargaining at impasse

“Quality childcare services help UBC recruit and retain outstanding faculty and staff. This reality must be reflected in the pay scales for its early childhood educators."

Vancouver (13 Dec. 2012) - The B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) will be seeking a strike mandate from 160 early childhood educators at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Child Care Services after negotiations broke down on November 28.

BCGEU/NUPGE childcare professionals are seeking an improved wage scale that reflects UBC Child Care Services role as a professional body of the university. “Quality childcare services help UBC recruit and retain outstanding faculty and staff. This reality must be reflected in the pay scales for its early childhood educators,” says UBC Childcare Services bargaining chair Tom Kertes.

“Wages must reflect the skills, training and value provided by UBC early childhood educators, given that they are college trained and government certified professionals,” says bargaining unit Chairperson Andrea Duncan. Studies suggest that over 80 per cent of our social, emotional and cognitive skills are developed under the age of six.

“UBC early childhood educators are seeking wage parity. Improved wages will promote wage parity in the childcare sector that is 95 per cent staffed by women,” explains Kertes. Childcare services open doors for women students seeking education and employment opportunities at UBC.

“Many parents send their application to UBC Child Care Services when they first conceive, in the hope that their child will eventually be admitted years later. What makes UBC Child Care special is the dedication and patience of BCGEU/NUPGE early childhood educators who bring out the best in the kids they care for,” says Duncan.

BCGEU/NUPGE members took a strike vote on December 11 and results will be announced shortly.

UBC Child Care Services members are prepared to reach out to the public to demonstrate widespread community support for the continued provision of quality child care for faculty, staff, and students at the University.

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE