Union in CA

[daycare]

From the sounds of it. I wouldn't benefit from a union as I don't take government assistance of any kind.

[SquirrellyMama]

From the sounds of it. I wouldn't benefit from a union as I don't take government assistance of any kind.

That is why I didn't join also. I set my rates so I don't need a union to help. There were no benefits for me.

Kelly

[e.j.]

The negative stuff I hear about unions ALWAYS comes from someone with no experience with them, and someone who doesn't understand how they work (repeating political propaganda). That's why I asked about the childcare unions, because I would like to understand if there are drawbacks for providers. It's too bad that providers have to organize for the right to obtain health insurance or be paid a living wage.

I definitely fall into the category of someone who has little experience with unions so take this for what it's worth. ;-) When I was in college, I did work for a company that was unionized. Even though I was there on a temporary basis and would not experience any benefits from the union, I still had to join and pay dues. It felt like a money grab to me.

Several years ago, the SEIU was trying to get into our state. It had been put to a vote and was voted down by voters but the governor apparently signed a bill that allowed them in anyway. For an organization that claimed to be working for my best interests, their representatives were awfully clueless about my job. They showed up at my home time and time again, usually waking kids up at nap time or interrupting meal times, telling me they wanted to represent me. What they didn't seem to understand is that as a small business owner, I set my own rate of pay and set my own policies. If I feel I need a pay raise, I adjust my rates. If I feel the need for more vacation time, I add more vacation time. I work at home so if I don't like my working conditions, I change them! If a policy isn't working for me, I make the change in my parent handbook and have the parents sign it. According to the union, they have no interest in working with providers to change state regulations, provide health or retirement benefits or get things like required trainings paid for by the state. They only wanted to increase the amount of money providers who accepted vouchers were paid. I don't take vouchers but from what I understand, the union may have succeeded in getting the daily rate increased - at least on paper, since I think the state legislature has to approve any increases (?) - but at the same time, money was taken out of the providers' pockets because they now have to pay union dues - whether they want to or not. From what I can see, providers in this state have benefited little, if at all. The union will get a cut of any increase in voucher rate and the money that should go to the providers who earn it, won't. Like I said before, just seems like a money grab for the union to me. Here's a link that is probably slanted but does explain why unions aren't such a great thing for fcc provides: http://www.childcareunioninfo.com/facts.html

[grandmom]

Here's a face book page to read.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Childcare-providers-who-are-Happy-to-Be-Union-Free/181095595292446?ref=br_tf

The union in my area does not represent us. They work with the state, they send me emails about going on strike with minimum wage earners, and Occupy movements. Ask your question on the face book page and hear from providers who are happy to be union free.

[Unregistered]

I was forced to pay a 'fair share' when using Dhs for payments so I decided to join. I have recently left due to the fee's. It is $35/month... that a whole month of full time care, $400/year, in just fee's. It doesn't matter to me that they fight for higher Dhs rates because I charge the families the difference. The insurance was too much also. Just not worth it to me.

[Second Home]

Here in MD the union falls under the state dept of education ( teachers union) , you must join the union if you want to have state paid kids , no exceptions.

From all the info I have received I do not see much good that has happened to help out providers in general , maybe a little higher wages for those who have state paid kids . But they have done nothing that would help me .

[Leigh]

I guess I am just dreaming of the good things that a union can do. Our state child care association is more about showing off and socializing than lobbying the legislature or working to protect us or truly enrich our programs. From what I've seen here and through internet searches since this thread was posted, I can certainly understand why some providers would be against it.