Coordinating office of La Ribambelle d'Aylmer - Important demonstration by HCPs to denounce harassment by management staff

MONTREAL, Jan. 31, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - The situation has reached a standstill at the Coordinating office (CO) of La Ribambelle d'Aylmer. Home childcare providers (HCPs) will be staging an important demonstration in front of the CO's administrative offices on February 5, to denounce the harassment and various forms of abuse they have been subjected to over several years by CO management, with the assent of the board of directors.

The president of the Alliance des intervenantes en milieu familial de l'Outaouais (ADIM-Outaouais), Kathleen Courville, maintains that CO management at La Ribambelle d'Aylmer has, over time, become increasingly contemptuous towards the HCPs and the union that represents them, to the point where the situation can no longer continue.

"Working relations continue to deteriorate within the coordinating office, and all of our attempts to address the issue that management adopt a more respectful attitude have led nowhere. Worse still, management stubbornly refuses to recognize the right of our union to represent and defend our members. The CO is therefore refusing to collaborate with the ADIM-Outaouais in any way", says Kathleen Courville.

Prejudicial behaviours occur almost daily  

"Management's hostility towards educators is virtually a daily occurrence. HCPs are continually watched, threatened, victims of false accusations, to the point where many are literally terrorized and have decided to quit their jobs to put an end to it. There are even parents willing to testify to certain inappropriate behaviours on the part of management," states Kathleen Courville.

No response from the Minister of Families   

The union leader states that the goal of the demonstration next February 5, is to rouse CO management's awareness and authorities at the Ministry of Families, of just how far the situation has gone.

"Since 2012, we have called upon former liberal minister Yolande James, as well as current minister, Nicole Léger, to request a meeting to discuss the situation, to no avail. We have also tried to sensitize the members of the CO's board of directors, but even they remain completely subservient to management, when in fact, their role should be the complete opposite," exclaims Kathleen Courville. 

A CO that must be accountable

In the face of refusals by CO management and the Minister of Families to address the situation and settle the problems, the president of the ADIM-Outaouais warns that its members are determined to take the steps necessary to get the respect they deserve.

"If no one wants to meet with us to listen, we must take to the street to be heard. We all deserve respect. Harassment is never acceptable, even when it comes from someone in authority. Directors and management at the CO La Ribambelle d'Aylmer have gone too far and it's time they become accountable to the HCPs and the Minister of Families," warns Kathleen Courville.

An urgent meeting is called      

The president of the ADIM-Outaouais says that an urgent meeting has been called in recent hours by a representative of the Ministry of Families to initiate opening discussions, but it's not enough.

"We will participate in the meeting taking place on Friday where representatives from the Ministry of Families and the CO's Board of directors should be in attendance. However, this is not enough. It will require much more to reassure and satisfy our HCPs. We will be voicing all of our demands during the demonstration to be held next Wednesday."

The demonstration will take place on Wednesday, February 5, starting at 6:30 p.m., in front of the administrative offices of the CO, located at 400 chemin McConnell in Gatineau.

CSQ Profile

The CSQ represents over 200,000 members, 130,000 of whom are in education. It is the largest union organization in education and childcare in Quebec. The CSQ is also present in the health and social services sectors, childcare centres, municipal, leisure, culture, and community services and communications sectors.

FIPEQ-CSQ Profile

The Fédération des intervenantes en petite enfance du Québec (FIPEQ-CSQ) represents nearly 14,000 home childcare providers and 2000 childcare centre employees. It is Québec's largest union representing childcare workers.

SOURCE: CSQ

Claude Girard,
CSQ Communications Advisor
Telephone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @csq_centrale