Ford government failing to deliver fair standards for child care workers as lock out continues and further strikes loom: CUPE

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Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by Business Wire Ford government failing to deliver fair standards for child care workers as lock out continues and further strikes loom: CUPEAuthor of the article:TORONTO — As CUPE members at Ideal Child Services Group continue to be on picket lines for a fifth week after being locked out by their employer and workers at Start Right Child Care Centre stand on the verge of a strike, CUPE Ontario is calling on the provincial government to take responsibility for a child care system that relies on public funding but leaves workers fighting workplace by workplace for fair wages, benefits and pensions.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountThe potential strike at Start Right follows the lockout of workers at Ideal Child Services Group (ICSG), both represented by CUPE Local 2484. Workers at ICSG have been on picket lines since Oct. 5. Together, these disputes point to a broader problem: public investment in child care is not consistently translating into fair wages and decent working conditions for the people who deliver the service.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.“Governments cannot say they are building a stronger child care system while leaving the workers who make that system possible behind to fight for the basics,” said Yolanda McClean, President of CUPE Ontario. “When federal and provincial dollars support child care, that investment must also support the people doing the work. Ontario needs enforceable sector-wide standards for wages, benefits and pensions, along with a meaningful role for workers and their unions in shaping the system.”Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againCUPE Ontario is calling on the provincial government to establish a fair wage floor, improve access to benefits and pensions, and negotiate a bilateral agreement with unions to set and enforce decent employment standards across publicly funded child care. CUPE is also calling for sectoral bargaining so workers can negotiate common standards across the sector, rather than being left to fight for improvements employer by employer.“Child care workers do this work because they care about children and families, but they still need to pay their bills,” said Jess Tomas, President of CUPE Local 2484. “Our members have seen firsthand what happens when workers are undervalued and left to fight for fair treatment. The government has a responsibility to make sure public funding supports good jobs, and that child care workers can build sustainable careers without having to go on strike just to be heard.”Child care workers are essential to making the system work. When wages and working conditions fall behind, workers are pushed to leave the sector, making it harder to recruit and retain the experienced workforce children and families depend on.CUPE says the provincial government must move beyond promises about expanding access and affordability and ensure that public investment strengthens the entire child care system, including its workforce.“Ontario has an opportunity to build a child care system that works for families and workers alike,” said McLean That starts with fair standards, meaningful bargaining and accountability for how public funding is used.”View source version on businesswire.com: For more information, contactThis advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.