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BCGEU - A United Voice for Child Care

Early childhood educators and other child care providers are recognized and appreciated by our union for the exceptional work that you do on behalf of children and families.

Our union also recognizes that you need support to do the best job you can.

You deserve fair wages, benefits, a pension, professional development opportunities, and a stable, respectful work environment.
 

The BC Government and Service Employees' Union proudly represents early childhood educators and other workers in over 100 child care centres across British Columbia.

Dignity, respect, inclusion... The values you teach to children in your care are the same values shared by our union.

You can join the BCGEU as a direct union member or as a special associate member. And when you join with us you are connected to a larger child care community through our Child Care - Let's Make It Happen! campaign. We are proud to be partners in this initiative with the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC. We also support the work of the Early Childhood Educators' Association of BC, the national Code Blue for Child Care coalition, and community groups.

Call (604) 882-0111 or toll-free 1-800-667-1103 and ask to speak to an organizer. Email to Organizing

Click here - Special Associate Member newsletter January 2009

Join as a direct union member! (PDF)

Contact us to assist you in organizing your workplace as a full BCGEU certification. All discussions are kept confidential. We've found that boards and managers are often supportive when workers indicate their interest in unionizing. As Mary Dolan, coordinator of Growing Together Child Care in Duncan, recently noted, "We see joining this union as part of the big picture of supporting early childhood educators and building solidarity across the sector."

Once you've successfully certified, you will begin to negotiate your first collective agreement. 

Click here for a sample agreement that can provide the starting point for bargaining.

Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC endorsement of unionization (PDF) or (Text)
 

Join as a Special Associate Member! (PDF)

It's going to take all of us-working together in partnership-to achieve a universal child care program that meets the needs of families, workers and communities. Be part of the solution by becoming a Special Associate Member of the BCGEU. There's no fee, and you get access to a wide range of resources offered by the BCGEU.

Most importantly, you'll be joining with other child care workers and advocates in a province-wide campaign to put children and families first. Get connected with our larger community. And, as a Special Associate Member, receive information, education, support, networking resources and other benefits!

Special Associate Member benefits (PDF)

Call Organizing at (604) 882-0111 or toll-free 1-800-667-1103.

Member Voices


It's a joyful job, and it's been unionized all the years I've been here. That's probably the reason why I stay - because it is union, and the salary is better.
~ Kathryn Schultz, BCGEU member & early childhood educator

Respect for the work we do can only come through unionization, really. A union contract establishes the value of your work, the terms of your work, and ensures that you have power in your workplace.
~ Don Hann, BCGEU member & early childhood educator

We're caregivers, but we're not always very good at speaking out about our own needs. I believe the union offers us a stronger voice that will help us get the message out that we deserve better wages and more respect.
~ Kathy Williams, BCGEU member & early childhood educator

We need a strong collective voice in British Columbia to raise awareness and respect for the positive work we do to support children and families... We believe that unionization is the answer to making that happen.
~ Mary Dolan, BCGEU member & child care centre coordinator

A lot of people can do together what you cannot do alone.
~ Beena Shah, BCGEU member & early childhood educator