Trafalgar child care workers ratify new contract

B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union members at Trafalgar Out Of School in Vancouver have just recently voted in favour of ratifying a new contract that will provide them with a five per cent wage increase in two stages by Sept. 2010.

Pay rates will increase by three per cent by Sept. 2009, and another two per cent by Sept. 2010.

"This is a solid collective agreement that fulfills the priorities for our members at Trafalgar," says Darryl Walker, president of the BCGEU.

In addition to wage increases, gains were also made in RRSPs, vacation benefits and substitution pay. The agreement expires on Aug. 31, 2011.

The BCGEU represents 10 members at the child care centre, which has 80 spaces for children attending Trafalgar Elementary School. The centre is a non-profit and is run by parents, and has programs for all ages Kindergarten to Grade 7.