MD Child Care Providers Vote in Union

Home-based child care providers in Maryland have voted overwhelmingly to form a union. "Now we have the strong voice we need to stand up for affordable, quality child care in Maryland," District Heights provider Madie Green said at a press conference on Tuesday announcing the results of the election. "Parents trust child care providers every day to do what's right for our kids," said Donya Paul, a mother from Wheaton who uses family child care. The nearly 6,000 child care workers - who take care of some 70,000 children -- voted to join SEIU Kids First, which will negotiate with the state for more training opportunities, access to affordable health insurance, better reimbursements from the state child care assistance program, and other improvements that will help providers stay in the profession. Providers worked for nearly three years to gain the right to vote for their union, forming a statewide steering council and organizing committee, and joining with parents and community advocates to lobby elected officials. "This is an exciting day for family child care providers and the kids and parents who depend on us," said Green, a provider for more than 25 years. The vote in Maryland reflects a growing trend, as providers have won the freedom to join a union in ten states since 2005, and Illinois, Oregon and Washington have already approved union contracts to stabilize the industry and improve access to affordable, quality health care. In a related story, The Washington Times reported Tuesday that "A Maryland judge yesterday issued a temporary restraining order against Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration, saying the governor acted unconstitutionally in signing an executive order to unionize child care workers. Click here for the full story.