The Quebec authorities says it’s going to instantly hike the pay of daycare staff, regardless of ongoing contract negotiations which have led to strikes throughout the province.
Households Minister Mathieu Lacombe and Treasury Board President Sonia LeBel made the announcement Thursday, as unionized daycare staff continued their strike.
Lacombe and LeBel are acknowledging that early childhood educators are underpaid and the low salaries are hampering efforts to retain and recruit staff.
They are saying the federal government will instantly pay out the 12 per cent wage improve over three years it provided in July to certified educators, whereas different daycare staff will obtain barely much less.
The wage improve can attain as much as 17 per cent via a lump-sum fee for certified staff prepared to extend their work week to 40 hours.
Salaries are on the centre of the contract dispute, as public sector daycare staff make $19 an hour originally of their careers and prime out at $25.18 per hour after 10 years.
© 2021 The Canadian Press
