SFU Child Care Society workers accept three-year agreement

'This strike has been about equity.' - Ursula Clark, BCGEU

Vancouver (14 Oct. 2007) - Striking early childhood educators at the Simon Fraser University Child Care Society have voted to accept a mediated settlement. Services for approximately 270 families will resume Monday.

"This strike has been about equity," said bargaining chair Ursula Clark. "We thank the parents who have united so strongly and publicly in support of our issues. They organized a major public rally and delivered petitions calling on the university and government to step up with child care funding. Now they are working to make proactive changes within the society to improve labour relations and financial planning," she added.

Clark said the deal was reached after the employer withdrew demands for cuts to rights and benefits and accepted an extended three-year agreement. The deal gives members a $1,250 bonus in lieu of a wage increase in the first year, plus increases of 2.5% in each of the last two years. Pension benefits lost in 2003, following B.C. cuts to child care funding, have been partially restored.

"Our union is committed to achieving continued improvements in the child care sector," said George Heyman, president of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE).

Heyman praised the members who went on strike for "leading the way in standing strong on these issues." Rotating strikes began in August and escalated to a full strike four weeks ago. The vote to accept the agreement was 82% in favour. NUPGE

More information:
? SFU child care workers to begin strike action