Unifor urges NS government to adopt changes from child care review

HALIFAX, March 31, 2016 /CNW/ - Unifor is urging the provincial government in Nova Scotia to immediately implement the recommendations from its review on regulated child care.

"The report's findings speak for themselves that our child care system is in desperate need of investment," said Unifor Atlantic Regional Director Lana Payne. "Child care workers are severely underpaid and there are simply not enough regulated spaces in the province. Parents also need affordable and accessible childcare. This will be such a great boost for families, and for our economy."

The Nova Scotia Review of Regulated Child Care issued today echoes many of the concerns outlined in Unifor's submission to the government on child care. Nova Scotia's child care workers earn $4 per hour less than the national average and are the lowest-paid in the country, many making barely above minimum wage.

Unifor child care workers at Town Day Care in Cape Breton were on strike last March and brought attention to the serious challenges facing childcare in the province, including how underpaid early childhood educators are.

"This is a battle we've been fighting for over 30 years in this province, as we've been consistently under-funded," said Lisa Gentile, unit chair at Town Day Care, Local 4600. "The kids and the parents deserve more. We need changes sooner rather than later."

"The benefits of investing in early childhood education and child care can be seen quickly and impact everything from health outcomes, to education outcomes to economic activity," said Payne.

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 310,000 workers. It was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers unions merged.

Unifor's submission to the Government of Nova Scotia on child care can be found here:
http://www.unifor.org/sites/default/files/brief-statements/rev_unifor_submission_to_the_ns_child_care_review_.pdf

Nova Scotia's Review on Regulated Child Care can be found here:
https://www.ednet.ns.ca/sites/default/files/pubdocs-pdf/childcarereporteng.pdf

SOURCE Unifor

Unifor Communications Representative Shelley Burgoyne at [email protected] or (cell) 902-717-7491