When child care providers have the right to form unions, it helps to stabilize conditions, improve job satisfaction, and raise wages to appropriate levels—all of which are vital to providing the best possible care for children. In-home child care providers face very low pay and poor access to benefits and training opportunities, making it critical for these caregivers to have a collective voice to improve their working conditions. As the issue of child care provider unionization is considered in multiple states, a better understanding is needed regarding the effects of unionization on improvements in training, access to information, and ultimately the quality of care provided to children and communities.
Two new studies, conducted by the Economic Opportunity Institute (EOI) and Rutgers University, respectively, help to shed light on the value unions provide to this often neglected and voiceless group. Interviews conducted with child care providers in each state further elucidate the effects of unions on their day-to-day lives.
Dr. J. Ryan Lamare, Research Analyst, American Rights at Work, May 2012
