(Halifax) Child care workers at a Dalhousie University daycare have voted in favour of strike action.
The 16 child care workers, members of CUPE Local 3592, are employed by the Halifax Student Housing Society - a non-profit society at Dalhousie University providing childcare to undergraduate students. The day care is located in Peter Green Hall on Wellington Hall.
Their contract talks began in February, 2001 and conciliation concluded in December, 2001. The conciliator is expected to file his report today, which means the workers could be in a strike position in 14 days.
CUPE National Representative Larry Power says, The main stumbling block is wages. The employer is offering 2.5%, 2%, 2% and 2% over four years. At the same time, however, they are proposing to remove an anniversary increase in the current contract that is equivalent to a 1.5% increase a year.
The net result, says Power, is a paltry 2.5% wage increase over four years. With cost of living currently at over 2.5% a year, these employees are looking at an actual wage decrease.
The highest rate in the bargaining unit is currently $24,800. CUPE is seeking a raise that will at least keep up with inflation.
For information:
Larry Power, CUPE National Representative
(902) 454-6369 (o)
John McCracken, CUPE Communications Representative
(902) 455-4180 (o)