Roughly two dozen early childhood educators took to the steps of Confederation Building this morning demanding action on sick leave, pensions, and wage increases.
Minister Paul Dinn speaking with ECEs gathered outside Confederation Building (VOCM News)
Education minister speaks with ECEs
Education Minister Paul Dinn came out to address the crowd.
He spent about 30 minutes speaking with ECEs and stressed the importance of a new steering committee that they hope to have set up within the next month or so.
The group made it clear; they don’t want to hear promises – they want action.
One ECE asked the minister, “as educators we’re taught to lead by example…are you able to lead by example and promise us that there will be changes?”
Dinn committed that “there will be changes, they have to happen.”
NDP Leader Jim Dinn and Liberal MHA Bernard Davis speak with ECEs gathered at Confederation Building (VOCM News)
Members of the Liberal and NDP caucuses also came out and spoke at the rally – at times interjecting and asking questions of Dinn.
One member of the crowd had a message for all three parties.
“I don’t like this political part that’s going on here, the bantering. Government and the opposition, everybody work together. I’m going to say this, the Liberals – you had 10 years (and) none of these ECEs have sick days, they don’t have their pension.”
“So let’s stop this part, let’s all work together and get this done for the ECEs of our province.”
