Crèches: early childhood workers in the city of Paris called to strike this Wednesday

Will the municipal daycare centers in the city of Paris be closed this Wednesday? Explaining that the early childhood sector "is going through a serious crisis with the deterioration of working conditions, the slippage of tasks, professional burnout, non-compliance with supervision rates and lack of staff", the representatives of the employees of the sector are calling on sector agents to strike this Wednesday, September 13 in Paris. Made up of SUPAP-FSU, Unsa, UCP, FO and CFTC, the Intersyndicale denounces “a decline in attractiveness”, “too many departures”, “recruitment difficulties”, as well as “insufficient wages compared to the increase in prices of energy and everyday products”.

“We, auxiliaries and childcare workers, are the first to be on the ground to respond to emergencies. And this, including during the Covid crisis. However, we have never obtained the Ségur bonus which was distributed to health professionals,” laments Christine Derval, childcare assistant for over 40 years and member of the Intersyndicale. The representative is annoyed by a difference in treatment due, according to her, to the fact that it is easier to reward "the good and loyal services of those who only represent a group of 500 City agents", whereas that there are “more than 6,000” early childhood professionals.

Also read: Disney takes on the childcare market

“Despite these difficulties, professionals remain very invested in their work and get involved every day in order to maintain the quality of reception and care for children and their families,” assures the Intersyndicale in a press release. The unions want “the same recognition to be granted to early childhood professionals”, via the famous Ségur bonus of 189 euros net per month as well as recognition of arduousness by including the latter “in the list of the active category”.

Despite having more than 50,000 agents, the Parisian municipality is struggling to operate at full capacity some of its public establishments, first and foremost the 400 crèches managed by the municipality. Establishments are sometimes forced to reduce their opening hours or even close altogether. According to Christine Derval, daycare centers are today “60/70% max” full, with “sections that are still not open.” The result is “young babies who cannot be accommodated due to lack of staff”.

Contacted, the Parisian municipality explains that it proposed a meeting to union representatives this Wednesday, September 13, at the beginning of August. However, in the meantime, they have submitted their strike notice, and the town hall therefore preferred to postpone the meeting. The representatives “shared their demands” last week, we add. The town hall continues to hire en masse in this sector in tension with the competitive recruitment of 200 childcare assistants, holders of the State childcare assistant diploma (DEAP), but also the recruitment of establishment directors reception or PMI center and, soon, technical early childhood agents.