Edmonton military daycare becomes first to unionize

Workers cite concerns over wage parity

A military daycare in Edmonton has become the first of its kind to unionize in the country.

Workers at the Edmonton Garrison Military Family Resource Society voted to join the ranks of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) union on Sept. 16, effectively becoming the first military daycare to organize.

Concerns over wage parity with other jobs in a similar field prompted the move, according to CUPE Alberta’s president, Marle Roberts.

“They are accredited child care workers, and they want to be paid as such,” Roberts said. “As the largest union in Canada, CUPE can offer these workers the best research, bargaining, and labour relations assistance they can get.”

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