Durham Region

Jason Liebregts / Metroland
OSHAWA -- Kerry Kimble, with Jett and Vienna, is one of the parents who'll be affected by the shutdown of the CAW daycare in south Oshawa. The daycare offers hours for parents who work in the afternoon. May 31, 2010

The Canadian Auto Workers Child Care Services centre in Oshawa will shut its doors this summer. The centre was an important example of how a union can become involved in establishing a workplace child care.The program accommodated changing shifts and was open late for parents who finished afternoon shifts later at night. One parent interviewed by Melissa Mansini said it was the only program she knew of that made this accommodations, and parents are left uncertain of where to place their children.

General Motors contributed a set amount of money per hour per active worker toward the centre, and with the economic downturn and subsequent layoffs, the program was no longer sustainable.

CAW Local 222 president Chris Buckley says that the national office is working to find the program's staff new employment opportunities and trying to help parents find alternatives.

The CAW centre joins Cambrian and Northern College who are also closing their lab schools this year and of course, the City of Windsor which re-affirmed it's decision to close 7 municipally run child care centres.

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