NEW: SEIU Reports Unionization of RI Childcare Workers

NEW: SEIU Reports Unionization of RI Childcare Workers

Rhode Island at-home childcare workers have voted in favor of forming a union with the Service Employees International Union, effectively giving them the power to negotiate with the state in areas such as training, development, and recruitment.

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Today's election was the sixth and final secret-ballot election held by the RI State Labor Relations Board (SLRB) among approximately 540 Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) family child care providers. The elections were held at six different times and locations around the state this past week.

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The SEIU did not return request for comment, or confirmation of the vote tally.

Background

Earlier this year, the Rhode Island General Assembly approved a measure, which was signed into law by Governor Lincoln Chafee, allowing child-care workers who receive state assistance the power to unionize.

The Quality Family Child Care Act allows Rhode Island child care providers participating in the Child Care Assistance Program the ability to form a union and negotiate with the state.

In August, over 80% of the Rhode Island’s family childcare providers signed cards indicating that they wished to form a union with the SEIU, which were then filed with the SLRB.

Unionization in Other States

Eight other states—Connecticut, Massachusetts, Illinois, Washington, Oregon, Maryland, New Mexico, and New Jersey—have extended bargaining rights to family child care providers. According to the SEIU, bargaining rights have allowed child health care providers to raise quality, streamline parent paperwork, and reduce and eliminate waiting lists.