ECE teachers from six CUPE child care centres were joined by teachers from other non-profit centres and even some commercial centres in a march to Province House, the seat of provincial government in Nova Scotia today.
CUPE centres were shut down for the day as workers voiced their opposition to recent changes to a funding formula that will hurt the non-profit centres.
Many parents took time off work and brought their kids to support the workers.
Some of the placards read, ”We are caring for N.S. children.
Who’s caring for us?”, and “I live for my children but I can’t afford to care
for my own.” The lively group chanted protests for fair wages for childcare
professionals as they made their way through the streets of downtown
Halifax.
Also at issue is a $4,000 wage ‘stabilization grant’ which the
MacDonald government says it plans to phase out in March, 2008.
Local 4745, which represents about 150 ECE’s in Halifax, is demanding a follow-up meeting with the Minister of Community Services.