Childcare workers rally in Melbourne CBD for reforms

Hundreds of childcare workers campaigning for urgent reform have walked off the job to march through the CBD.

More than a thousand early education workers are marching through the Melbourne CBD as part of a national campaign for urgent reform in the sector.

Childcare staff walked off the job at 1pm on Wednesday as union organisers warned similar industrial action would continue if the federal government did not agree to implement “real reforms”.

Police are directing traffic as the march moves up Flinders St towards the Fitzroy Gardens, causing minor delays on surrounding roads including Russell St, Swanston St and Exhibition St.

United Workers Union president Jo-anne Schofield told the crowd they had walked off the job with the full backing of the wider community.

“We know it’s not easy for educators to shut down centres and walk off the job,” Ms Schofield said.

“Making a stand here is not just inspiring to me but to the whole of the union movement.

“Early educators have to put the children first and put families first, and it’s time for us to put ourselves first and win this change that we need.”

Childcare workers protest in Federation Square. Picture: David Geraghty

Last week’s national Jobs and Skills Summit had not convinced childcare workers the necessary reform would arrive in time for burnt out staff, Ms Schofield said.

The industrial action comes after an UWU survey last week found 88 per cent of workers in the sector did not see a “long-term future” for themselves in the industry if pay and working conditions did not improve.

Close to 99 per cent of respondents said staffing shortages were impacting the quality of care and education children were receiving.

Parent Daniel Scoullar, who brought his three-year-old son Elliot, said he came to the march to support childcare workers who provided a vital service to families and deserved “real respect”.

“Keeping Elliot home today and coming along is the least I can do to thank all his early educators,” Mr Scoullar said.

“We rely on early educators to nurture, support and educate our children at a critical stage in their lives.

“It’s a classic example of a caring profession with predominantly women workers being treated like a second-class workforce.”

Marchers chanted that they wanted “a reason to stay” in the early education sector while many held signs criticising providers for putting profits above children.

More to come