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“Developing the Workforce in the Early Childhood Care and Education Sector – SIPTU Submission”
SIPTU members stand together for quality care with quality jobs in the childcare sector. This is why we have welcomed the consultative process on the “Workforce Development Plan for the Early Childhood and Education Sector” by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affaire (OMCYA).
SIPTU’s submission to the OMCYA covered areas including access to training, recognising prior learning, career progression, pay and conditions.
“Developing the Workforce in the Early Childhood Care and Education Sector – SIPTU Submission” (pdf, 163 kb)
Quality, Affordable Childcare with Quality Jobs; these are the principles of SIPTU’s Community Childcare Campaign.
Investment in early years care and education has tremendous benefits for children’s social, personal and cognitive development. However, Ireland has a long way to go before we have a childcare sector we deserve.
This is why childcare workers and managers from all over the country are joining together with SIPTU; to campaign for change. Workers deserve good wages; children deserve quality childcare and projects deserve adequate funding. Only by joining together can we hope to change things for the better.
What is SIPTU?
SIPTU is Ireland’s largest trade union representing workers in the public, private and community sectors. For over a hundred years we have had one simple aim, to organise workers so that they may achieve fairness in work and justice in society. Members are at the heart of our Union; you and your colleagues make the decisions as a group because together, we are stronger.
What we want?
The aims of our campaign are clear. We want quality childcare that is accessible and affordable. This can only be delivered by childcare professionals who have good pay and conditions. It is unsustainable to have a quality childcare service without quality wages.
What are we doing?
Over a thousand workers have joined together to campaign for a fair deal for childcare workers. We all need to get involved if we are to make childcare a priority for Government.
Already, workers are getting organised and active in their campaign. Apart from joining SIPTU and forming committees, workers are getting involved politically to highlight their issues.
On November 11, over 2000 worker, parents and children took to the street of Dublin and Cork to protest at “subvention” funding for the sector. See a video of the day here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZW1CUZZEv2o
Since the protest, we have launched a lobbying campaign with workers raising their issues with local and national politicians. Already, motions support our campaign have been passed at local councils. These are just a few steps that we have taken to achieving our aims.
Getting Organised
Our Union is only as strong as its members. That is why, if you believe in quality childcare with quality jobs, joining SIPTU is the first step you should take. The more childcare workers stand together, the stronger our position at the negotiating table.
Becoming a member of your union is a small step to improving the working life of childcare workers, but getting organised is more than just filling out a form; it is becoming a part of a campaign that fights for the recognition of the important work that you do, day in, day out.
To join the campaign, just fill out an application form and call an Organiser at the number below.
Contact SIPTU Union Organisers – Community Childcare
Dublin: (01) 858 6367
Munster: (021) 4277 466
Midlands: (056) 7721 267
All other areas 1890 747 8812
Community Childcare Campaign Day of Protest
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