Show of support for Quebec’s child care workers at National Assembly as negotiations continue [Video]

A petition with almost 20,000 signatures was presented to Quebec’s National Assembly on Wednesday in support of the childcare workers negotiating the renewal of their collective agreement.

Sponsored by Joël Arseneau, the Parti Québécois MNA for Îles-de-la-Madeleine, the petition is designed to support workers’ demands for better pay, reduced workload and more resources to provide services to children.

“This petition just shows how much support there is for workers in childcare centres,” said Stéphanie Vachon, a spokesperson for the union representing the daycare workers.

“It was signed by parents, workers and ordinary people,” she pointed out.

Negotiations between Quebec and the unions have been going on since the spring.

Since there is a shortage of childcare workers and Quebec wants to open thousands of places to meet needs, it is seeking to “optimize” existing resources.

However, the workers are already exhausted and often leave the profession because of the pay …