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Wage increases plus steps to address bullying in the workplace.
Vancouver (24 Nov. 2009) - Members of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) who provide child care services at Simon Fraser University (SFU) have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new collective agreement.
The three year contract includes a 7% wage increase, effective immediately, plus a $2,100 signing bonus for full-time workers (adjusted for part-time and casual workers). Also, a joint committee will be established to address bullying in the workplace.
BCGEU president Darryl Walker praised the workers for making financial gains at a time when wages and working conditions in the child care sector "are faltering" under declining government support.
"Early childhood educators, as a group, are among the lowest-paid professionals in our society," Walker notes.
"Many of our members have worked at SFU child care for upwards of 20 years. They all look forward to being able to provide for their own families while continuing to support the children and families in the SFU community. This new agreement helps to make that possible."
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE