Decades of Union Advocacy for Child Care Providers and Wage Equity

For decades, child care providers have been advocating for better conditions and organizing through unions. A significant milestone was marked in 1967 when New York City day care providers pioneered this movement by forming AFSCME Local 205. This unionization gave nearly 1,000 providers at 79 facilities a platform to tackle issues such as salary disparities, inadequate wages, and health care. Their efforts led to a 17-day strike in September 1969, which resulted in a notable wage increase, aligning their pay with that of city elementary school teachers. Following this victory, they leveraged their newfound political influence to establish a training program aimed at enhancing the skills of child care professionals. This movement has since inspired Head Start workers nationwide to join AFSCME local unions.

In recent developments, Child Care Providers United (CCPU), which includes AFSCME Local 3930/UDW in collaboration with SEIU and represents 60,000 providers in California, has successfully negotiated their third contract. This achievement came after a protracted contract campaign, resulting in significant investments in caregiving infrastructure, such as enhanced wages, health care benefits, and funding for training and continuous education. For Pamela Rocha, a CCPU child care provider battling severe illnesses, this contract is vital as it ensures her health care while she fights cancer. Rocha emphasized, “I’m fighting because my life depends upon it — and because our kids are worth it.”

Progress is also being made at the state level. On November 1, New Mexico set a precedent by becoming the first state to provide no-cost universal child care. Their initiative aims to recruit and license 5,000 additional home-based child care providers, increasing reimbursement rates to reflect the actual cost of care. The state has allocated a $12.7 million fund to support the construction, expansion, and renovation of child care facilities. This program is partly funded by the state's Early Childhood Education and Care fund, sourced mainly from oil and gas taxes. Similarly, Connecticut has introduced a new law that offers free child care for families earning under $100,000 annually, and limits child care costs to no more than 7% of income for those earning more. More details are available in their legislation.

Addressing the affordability crisis requires substantial investments in both children and child care providers. As CCPU member Hussein Almukhtar from San Diego County, California, aptly stated, “Imagine a day without child care providers. That will stop families from going to work … that will affect our economy. That proves that we are essential.”

Child care is undeniably essential. By making strategic investments at state and federal levels, we can ensure that providers receive fair compensation for their critical work and that families nationwide have access to necessary care. The urgency of this moment demands action for the benefit of our children, our providers, and our future.