Home daycare workers are planning a series of rotating strikes next month to protest the way contract talks with the government are going.
Family Minister Francine Charbonneau is frustrated by the announcement, saying that both sides are in the middle of negotiations so she doesn't see need for a protest.
"I'm not worried, I'm mad. I don't want any strike day," said Charbonneau.
The strikes will take place between Oct. 10 and 17, with Laval being affected on Oct. 10, and Montreal on Oct. 15.
A province-wide walkout is planned for Oct. 20.
These protests would not affect larger CPE daycare facilities.
"We're still negotiating, we're still at the table, we're not in a break-up or anything, so I don't understand why people are talking about strike," said Charbonneau.
"They should be at the table talking to each other and making sure that we're advancing on something."
Workers at home-based daycares negotiated their first collective agreement in 2010.
Now they say they are being shortchanged because they work 50 hours a week but are only paid for 35.
Private home daycares, which are not part of the $7-a-day program are planning their own protest on Oct. 24. That demonstration would affect 45,000 children.
