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17,000 Child Care Providers in New York State Join AFSCME
Some 17,000 child care providers across the state of New York voted overwhelmingly today to form a union and join CSEA/Child Care Providers Together–New York (CCPT-NY/CSEA), an affiliate of AFSCME.
The workers were able to form a union after Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) signed an executive order last May granting home-based family child care providers the right to join a union. The executive order created four bargaining units. Units were subdivided into two in New York City and two covering the rest of the state. The vote today was for providers outside New York City.
Child care provider Sherriam McMaster, of Albany, N.Y., says:
We are excited to have our union so we make the changes needed to improve our work, get paid on time and care for the children.
AFL-CIO President John Sweeney says:
Today, 17,000 day care workers in New York added their voice to the national cry for change. They said the best way for working families to bring change is to form unions.
The overwhelming election victory—with 96 percent voting in favor of the union—means the providers have the right to negotiate with the state of New York to solve multiple challenges facing both providers and parents. Negotiations will be held with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).
CSEA President Danny Donohue congratulated the providers, saying:
In joining the 7,500 licensed providers who have already joined our union, you now have the chance to change how childcare is provided in New York State.
AFSCME President Gerald McEntee says:
Today’s victory in New York is historic. This will help New York’s 17,000 child care providers deliver the best quality care and early childhood education for our kids.
The child care providers sought union representation to be able to better care for children in homes, improve pay rates and on-time delivery of payments.
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3 Comments
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I think its great that AFSCME union has agreed to become part of this. Children are the future and their care is top priority. my cousin has a home health care worker that comes in every day to take care of things my aunt can’t do by herself.
This is great, now the work begins. I am sure that AFSCME is up to the task to assure that all these new members receive the Living Wages, Health Care, Pensions and other benefits they richly deserve.
As long as ALL the workers are LEGAL I’m thrilled for them. If any are illegals then THEY need to GO HOME!