MEDC 2009 Position on Child Care Subsidies

Background

Child care is a universal public good that is licensed, regulated, and often subsidized by the state, yet child care services are provided almost entirely by small business and voluntary agencies in the private sector. An Early Learning Professional Association bargaining unit would include:

Association bargaining will create a platform for early learning staff to negotiate with the state over:

  • State subsidy rates-including implementation
  • Incentives and all other economic issues wage progression linked to educational attainment
  • Quality and professional training standards
  • Health care and other employee benefits to attract and retain a quality workforce.

An amendment to the 2006 Family Child Care Act will build consistent quality in child care centers and allow center directors and workers to bargain with the state over those areas which the state has purview.

This act would not deal with daily working conditions, involve the union in any hiring or firing decision, allow workers to strike, interfere with parents’ rights or choices or cover child care centers operated by any governmental agency.

Issue

Early learning staff seeks to establish an all-inclusive, statewide Association with bargaining rights to represent their interests with the State, raise standards and improve the quality of early learning and care.

Action/Legislative Request

Support SEIU Local 925 and Washington Educators in Early Learning (WEA & AFT) by amending the 2006 Family Child Care Act (SB 5572 and HB 1329) to establish the right to represent early learning staff’s interests and to negotiate with the State over: State subsidy rates, wage progression linked to educational attainment, professional training standards, health care and other employee benefits.

Early learning staff employed at all licensed child care centers serving state-subsidized children, including t hose that are non-profit and for-profit and employees of these centers who provide direct care, including directors, teachers, assistants and others.