CUPE Questions Closure of Dartmouth Child Care Center

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, Jul 30 (MARKET WIRE) --
The YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth has issued termination notices to
CUPE Early Childhood Educators employed at its Dartmouth child care
center, citing issues regarding financial sustainability.

The not-for-profit organization plans to close the facility, located at
194 Waverley Road, on October 30, 2009. Staff and the families of
children enrolled in the center were informed of the decision on July 28,
2009.

CUPE national representative Naomi Stewart says, "The timing of this
closure is highly suspect. This center has, at least, 18 full-time spaces
available. To say that financial sustainability is a factor when spaces
are waiting to be filled is, in our opinion, not valid".

The child care providers, members of CUPE local 4745, had recently been
granted union certification by the Nova Scotia Labour Relations Board and
have yet to achieve a first contract.

"Nine permanent staff will be affected by this closure, not to mention
part-time staff and, most importantly, the 56 children and their families
who are currently enrolled in the Dartmouth child care center", says
Stewart.

Stewart says, "Dedication to the growth of all persons is supposedly a
fundamental part of the YMCA's own mission statement. We fail to see how
displacing 56 children and their families enhances the growth of any of
these young people. We believe that closing this facility is a complete
reversal of that statement".

Stewart adds, "We have requested further meetings with the YMCA. Our
members, the families and the children involved deserve answers".

The YMCA is Canada's largest non-profit child care provider.

Contacts:
CUPE
Naomi Stewart
National Representative
902-455-4180
902-877-7770 (cell)

CUPE
Derrick Barrett
Communications Representative
902-455-4180

Copyright 2009, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

-0-