Creche workers seek more pay

Crunch meeting held over remuneration

SIPTU representatives in Tipperary have demanded that childcare employers restart pay talks for 26,000 Early Years professionals following a crunch meeting in Dublin of the Early Years Joint Labour Committee on Monday, September 26.

SIPTU Head of Strategic Organising, Darragh O’Connor, said: “The low pay epidemic in the sector has caused a major staffing crisis, with 60% of services reporting recruitment difficulties.”

Mr O’ Connor went on to state that SIPTU is rejecting a rate of €13.65 for Early Years educators as recommended by the JLC.

“If employers refuse to engage in meaningful negotiations to agree appropriate rates of pay for Early Years professionals, the staffing crisis will become a full-blown disaster. It is as simple as that.

“We know there is enough state investment to support much higher rates of pay, but the other side seems determined to keep dragging their feet. They want cash with no conditions.

Tipperary Big Start Organiser, Pat McCabe, stated: “In Budget 2022, the Department of Children allocated €207 million to childcare providers to support a pay deal. The cost of implementing the 2022 pay rates was a small proportion of the money provided to employers, yet they are refusing to transfer this state investment to staff through further improvements in the minimum pay rates.

“The money is there; it’s time for the Federation and IBEC get back to the table and hammer out a deal that values staff.”

SIPTU Tipperary Early Years Educator, Patricia Laverty, said: “We need IBEC and the Federation to show a bit of respect for the educators that deliver care and education to our youngest citizens.

“Sixty-five cents doesn’t cut it, too many educators are suffering from poverty pay and will walk from the sector over the next few months. The staffing crisis will escalate.”

Big Start Tipperary SIPTU member and Educator, Roisin Fitzpatrick, said: “Poverty pay is the main reason for the staffing exodus. Educators that are on the current ERO minimums cannot make ends meet working in the sector.

“We believe all providers, including those paying in excess of the ERO rates should send a clear message to the employer delegates to restart the negotiations and improve on the paltry 65 cents offer.”