Crèche workers on brink of revolt

The Government is facing revolt by the country’s 25,000 childcare workers over demands that they continually upskill while forced to exist on poverty pay.

A national rally is being staged on February 17 and the sector has warned there are growing demands from members for unprecedented strike action.

Anger is growing over regulations that require all employees of childcare centres — many on minimum wage or marginally above — to achieve higher levels of qualification before the end of the year without any prospect of increased pay.