First PEI Early Learning Centre to ratify contract

Created workable solutions to some difficult issues.

Charlottetown (13 Feb. 2007) - In an historic vote a group of Early Childhood Educators with the Child Development Centre (CDC) in Charlottetown, members of the Prince Edward Island Union of Public Sector Employees (PEIUPSE/NUPGE), voted to accept a tentative offer from their Employer.

The three (3) year agreement in effect from September 1, 2006 to August 31, 2009, includes a substantial immediate increase for most of the members and a 3% economic adjustment for all staff in years two (2) and three (3) of the agreement.

There are articles covering issues such as: sick time, vacations, statutory holidays and educational opportunities.

Labour Relations Officer, Paul Atkinson, who served as the negotiator for the group, stated, "The group’s appointed representative, Charlene Rogers worked diligently on their behalf."

"The employers - owner/operators are also to be commended for the cooperative spirit that they displayed during the process. They came up with some workable solutions to some difficult issues."

The process began in August 2006 with a group of five centres. By October all of the non monetary articles had been signed off. In November the CDC and UPSE started to negotiate for monetary articles such as wages, vacations, sick time and holidays.

On January 22, 2007 the parties agreed on a tentative contract, which was ratified by the members on January 31, 2007. The four remaining centres in the first group who have agreed on the non monetary articles will now begin the process of individually negotiating the remaining articles.

On another negotiating front, UPSE and the ECE negotiators from a second group of centres met with their employers on January 23, 2007 and gave them a copy of the Union’s proposal. UPSE will now begin negotiations with these employers - owner/operators on all non monetary articles.

UPSE President, Shelley Ward states, "Our Union will continue with it’s efforts in securing contracts for the ECEs of PEI." NUPGE