One of three Melfort Daycare Cooperative locations in the city. (Cam Lee/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

Union sounds alarm

Union concerned about Melfort daycare

Oct 16, 2024 | 4:18 PM

The union representing employees of the Melfort Daycare Cooperative wants the Ministry of Education to take action to ensure the daycare’s doors stay open.

The president of CUPE 5080, which represents workers at the daycare, said in a news release that daycare management is reporting that the facility may close due to a lack of financial resources if staff do not accept a cut in pay.

CUPE 5080 president Tina Lindsay said in the release that they’ve worked for years with the daycare management and board to navigate financial issues.

“Our members even agreed to be denied negotiated increases so the daycare could get their books in order,” Lindsay said. “For them to now give these workers the choice of further wage reductions or the closure of the facility is insulting. They have done enough.”

Lindsay sent a letter to the Ministry of Education to get the provincial government to quickly provide support and resources to help the daycare through their financial difficulties. The letter also called on the province to stop expanding the number of spots at the daycare until those difficulties are dealt with.

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“The hardworking staff at the Melfort Daycare Cooperative had nothing to do with the financial mess they now find themselves in, and they should not have to pay the price to fix it,” said Lindsay.

She added the daycare is vital to the community and the economy and it must stay open.

northeastNOW has reached out to the Melfort Daycare Cooperative management, and we await their response.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @northeastNOW_SK