Local YMCAs holding daycares while teachers strike

By Marc Venema

Belleville and Quinte West YMCAs will host a daycare for students Wednesday, as local teachers hold a one-day strike.

Teachers across the province have been holding one-day rotating strikes protesting Bill 1-15, which allows the government to impose a two-year contract on teachers. Teachers with the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board will walk on Wednesday.

“We respect the elementary school teachers right to strike,” said Dave Allen, regional director of the YMCA. “However, our responsibility is to to support those families that may require some assistance with the strike happening.”

Parents of children aged 4-12 can register at either location.

The event runs all day, with activities planned for indoors and outdoors, including crafts and swimming.

The daycare is free but donations are encouraged and will go the Belleville Firefighters Toy Drive and the Trenton Care and Share Food bank.

A total of 120 spots are available, 60 in Belleville and 60 in Quinte West.