Quebec daycares ratify agreement in principle

Children's backpacks and shoes are seen at a daycare. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

The latest agreement in principle concerning workers in daycares has just been ratified by 88 per cent of union members.

These are members of the Syndicat québécois des employé(e)s de service, affiliated to the FTQ.

This is the third agreement in principle to be ratified for workers in childcare centres, after the Fédération des intervenantes en petite enfance, affiliated to the CSQ, ratified by 66 per cent, and the Syndicat des métallos, affiliated to the FTQ, ratified by 100 per cent.

The CSN-affiliated Fédération de la santé et des services sociaux has yet to reach an agreement in principle with the Quebec government.

The SQEES points out that its new contract provides for pay increases of 17.4 per cent over five years, as was the case for all government employees.

A special effort has been made to attract candidates: the salary of a qualified educator, at the first step of the salary scale, will rise from $21.60 to $25.15 per hour.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French Feb. 13, 2025.