Excerpts
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — The Canadian Union of Public Employees submitted a report on behalf of Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) and employees of childcare centres in Nova Scotia, who have overwhelmingly expressed their desire for a defined benefit pension, not a registered retirement savings plan (RRSP).
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A CUPE led survey, open to all ECEs and childcare centre workers regardless of union affiliation for June and July, showed that they value a lifelong, guaranteed, and predictable income in their retirement. Over 81% of respondents stated they wanted a pension that would last their entire retirement, so they wouldn’t be forced back to work once their savings ran out. This fear of the unpredictability of an RRSP was further captured by the 93% of respondents who believe they will not be able to retire with financial security.
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“We have a real opportunity here to not only retain the amazing ECEs and childcare centre workers that we have, but to attract new people who want to work with the youngest members of our community. Offering RRSPs and ignoring the other employees of childcare centres won’t cut it,” said CUPE 3688 president Jennifer Chase. “The government is always talking about recruitment and retention. This is how you do it.”