After more than a decade of fighting for the right to bargain for better pay, California child care providers will vote on unionizing over the next month.
An estimated 43,000 ballots are in the mail to home-based providers who care for children from low-income families.
Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill allowing child care providers paid by the state to care for children from low-income families to unionize. The legislation was previously rejected by California governors in 2007 and 2015.
A majority ‘yes’ vote for Child Care Providers United would allow the union to represent the providers in labor negotiations with the state.
San Fernando Valley home child care owner Sylvia Hernández supports the union. She says after paying for supplies and her staff to care for children 24 hours a day, she doesn’t make minimum wage.
“We do need this change for a positive,” Hernández said. “Not just our lives but ... it changes everyone, our communities, our staff, everyone.”
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