UFT a Key Player: Push Pataki to Sign DayCare Union Bill

UFT a Key Player
Push Pataki to Sign DayCare Union Bill

Close to 1,000 home day-care providers gathered in front of Gov. George Pataki's Manhattan offices May 24, urging him to sign legislation that would allow more than 60,000 workers statewide to form a union.

The Chief-Leader/Adrienne Haywood-James IN NEED OF A VOICE: Jenny Cardona was among the home day-care workers who rallied outside Governor Pataki's Manhattan office May 24 urging that he sign a bill allowing them to unionize. One of her colleagues remarked, 'We need a voice. We're an unrecognized profession and we're not respected.' The proposed endeavor, to be jointly run by the United Federation of Teachers and the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, received legislative approval by a 61-0 margin in the Senate and 108-34 in the Assembly.

'Need a Union'

"These providers, mostly low-income women of color, need a union," UFT President Randi Weingarten said. "They need to make a living wage while giving pre-school children a good head start on learning and socializing. The last step to achieve that is for the Governor to sign this bill."

Governor Pataki's office did not return a call seeking comment.

Melvina Vandross, an 18-year veteran of the city's day-care program, echoed Ms. Weingarten's sentiments.

"When trouble arises, where does the provider go?," Ms. Vandross said. "Nobody wants to hear your voice. You get shifted from agency to agency."

Below Minimum Wage

The day-care providers currently make an average of $19,933 a year. With group family providers watching as many as 12 children, that can come to as little as $2 an hour. Gladys Jones of The Bronx described her work as "the first educator" for the children she supervises.

"The thing I don't like is that we don't get the support we need," Ms. Jones said. "I don't regret getting into day care, but we need a voice. We're an unrecognized profession and we're not respected."

Councilman Bill De Blasio spoke on behalf of the workers. "It is crucial that we keep people in this sector," he said prior to the rally. "There is no incentive for them right now - and we need to make sure the city has good child care available. These providers deserve adequate benefits, and a union will help to provide that."

New York would become the fifth state in the country to allow home day care providers to unionize. Illinois became the first last year.