Warning message

Please note that this page is from our archives. There may be more up-to-date content about this topic on our website. Use our search engine to find out.
(Halifax) HRMs lowest paid, non-profit child care workers say their own Board of Directors is withholding training money earmarked for them by the provincial government.

The teachers at St. Josephs Early Childhood Centres say close to $17,000 ($16,900) which was designated for training under the provinces 2002-2003 Childcare Stabilization Grant (CSG) went unused by the Board and now the government is asking for it back.

Lisa Stewart, President of CUPE Local 3845, says, Unfortunately, the governments own terms and conditions gave management the option of taking this money instead of giving it to the teachers directly. So thats what they did with the Boards approval.

Says Stewart, This fund came from the Department of Community Services and was supposed to be for the direct benefit of child care teachers. There was much fanfare from the government when they announced it.

Since we are the lowest paid child care workers in HRM, we would like to see that unused money going directly to salaries, and well take care of our own training needs, she says.

Other non-profit daycare centres in HRM pay a start rate of $23,000. St. Josephs highest paid teachers receive $20,867 after five years service.

Stewart says the union has written the Board of Directors about the training money, and has received only vague commitments about future training.

CUPE Local 3845 represents 40 child care workers in five locations throughout HRM.

For information:
Lisa Stewart, President, CUPE Local 3845
422-8441, Ext. 241 - 475-1667 (h)(o)
John McCracken, CUPE Communications Rep.
455-4180 (o)