Toronto child care workers on picket lines after being locked out by Ideal Child Service Group

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Child care workers at Ideal Child Service Group (ICSG) represented by CUPE Local 2484 are on picket lines today after the employer locked out its workers and refused to negotiate a fair collective agreement with its workers that appropriately recognizes the value of their work and the reality of the high cost of living in Toronto.

CUPE 2484 members at ICSG provide care and education to children at five locations across Toronto. Negotiations stalled after the employer refused to respond to the latest proposals presented by the union in September. Members were locked out of their workplace this morning, just 15 minutes before their strike deadline.

“Our members wanted to be at work today, caring for the children and supporting the families who depend on them,” said Jess Tomas, President of CUPE Local 2484. “But you cannot ask child care workers to keep doing essential work while ignoring the wages, working conditions and supports they need to do that work properly.”

CUPE 2484 members are fighting for wages that reflect the high cost of living in Toronto, protections for workers who become sick or injured, and staffing practices that provide children with the consistency and continuity they need.

“Ideal Child Services has forgotten that it is our members who make quality child care possible every day,” said Tomas. “They are experienced caregivers who deserve to be treated with respect. When workers cannot afford to stay in their jobs, when staffing levels are stretched and when working conditions make it harder to provide care, children and families ultimately feel the impact.”

Tomas said the strike is about more than paycheques.

“Parents deserve the best for their kids, not just the bare minimum,” said Tomas. “Our members want to provide the best possible care. They want the resources, staffing and working conditions that allow them to do their jobs well. That is good for workers, good for children and good for families.”

The union is calling on ICSG management and its Board of Directors to return to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair agreement that respects the workers who provide care to Toronto families.

“Our members are ready to get back to work, and we are ready to negotiate,” said Tomas. If the employer wants to reach a deal, they need to come back to the table prepared to actually negotiate more than just the bare minimum and respect the invaluable work our members do day in and day out.”

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