Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Fort Smith (May 20/02) - A group of childcare workers has unionized.

Fourteen employees at the Trailcross Treatment Program have joined the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).

Jean Francois Des Lauriers, the regional executive vice-president with PSAC, says the unionization drive started early this year.

Over 50 per cent of the workers signed union cards, and PSAC has been certified to represent them by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board.

Des Lauriers says the issues of concern to the workers are pretty much the same as you would find anywhere, including a high turnover rate and what the workers consider an abusive management style.

The union has served notice to the employer - Bosco Homes - of its desire to negotiate a contract for the workers.

"We're waiting for the employer to respond with dates," says Des Lauriers.

The union will work with its new members to draft a bargaining position and a negotiating team will be elected. It will be assisted by a professional negotiator from the union.

Bosco Homes operates the facility under contract with the Department of Health and Social Services.

PSAC worked in conjunction with the Union of Northern Workers on the organizing drive. In an internal union move, the workers will be assigned to the UNW, which is a component of PSAC.