EXCERPTS:
MONTREAL - After weeks of rotating strikes, daycare workers have hammered out a tentative agreement with the Quebec government, but have a few hurdles to jump before a contract is signed.
Daycare workers represented by the Confédération des syndicats nationaux, who have been without a contract for two years, walked off the job at some 360 child care centres across the province three times this month.
Monday, workers agreed with the province on the following terms:
- Salary hikes between 6 and 10.5 per cent over five years
- 13 annual statutory holidays
- 10 annual paid sick days
- 4 weeks vacation after 5 years of service
- Access to a pre-retirement program
The pre-retirement program is a new benefit the union fought hard for.
"(It means) the possibility at 55 years old to work part time and still keep all your rights as far as working goes," said CSN's Jeff Begley.
The negotiations may be for naught, however, if regional agreements concerning working conditions and scheduling aren't agreed upon for workers in Montreal, Laval and the South Shore.
More one-day strikes may happen soon, said Begley.
"Hopefully it won't come to that, but if the employers don't come to the table and accelerate the talks, that stays as a possibility," he said.
-reprinted from CTV Montreal