Delta schools, CUPE team up for seamless childcare pilot project

DELTA | With CUPE’s cooperation, the Delta School District announced in April that it will expand its new seamless day childcare pilot project to provide low-cost childcare opportunities to even more families in the District.

The pilot project, staffed by members of CUPE 1091 at Sunshine Hills Elementary School, originally offered 12 spots for before- and afterschool care to Kindergarten-aged children and their siblings. Recognizing the pilot project’s potential to address critical childcare demands, the District decided to expand the project to another 12 spots in order to provide spaces for the Kindergarten children who start this September and to keep the children currently enrolled in the program in the before- and after-school setting. These spots will be staffed by existing Education Assistants —  members of CUPE 1091.

The Delta School District pilot is one of more than 24 in B.C. schools, funded through provincial government grants to school districts exploring this new model of providing childcare. Delta’s seamless day childcare utilizes existing public school facilities and Early Childhood Educators already working for the school district.

“CUPE 1091 members are dedicated to our public schools and want to build a career here in Delta. This pilot project expansion provides the opportunity for full-time hours while offering students more stability throughout the day in a high-quality early learning environment,” said CUPE 1091 President Daun Frederickson, a District school support worker.

VANCOUVER | More than 600 women and gender-diverse members from across the country had their activism reinvigorated by CUPE’s first women’s conference in more than a decade.

The conference (March 12– 15) featured inspirational speakers sharing stories of past struggles and their paths to overcoming them. Panel discussions detailed some of the tools and tactics participants can incorporate into their current work, and workshops illustrated practical skills while providing valuable information on a wide range of subjects.

COMMITTED TO PROGRESS

CUPE 23’s Sarah Bjorknas addresses delegates

The conference opened with a powerful speech by our union’s former national president, Judy Darcy, who celebrated the strength and persistence of CUPE women. Darcy shared stories of deeply personal and highly political feminist struggles, painting a picture of how far we’ve come – and the work still ahead.

Panel discussions explored the political landscape for women workers, the fight for wage equity, strategies for identifying and closing wage gaps, putting equity at the forefront of our work, and organizing to win.

National Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick closed the conference by reminding delegates that the fight for change never ends.

“When we leave here to take on bullies and bosses, toxic cultures, and conservative governments,” she said, “let’s make it real when we say: ‘if you take on one of us, you’re taking on every woman in CUPE.’ By staying united and working in solidarity with others, by being organized and coordinated and strategic, by being bold and brave and courageous—we can and we will win!”