Union in CA

[sharlan]

Anybody else being bugged by the childcare union in CA?

I've had 2 phone calls and 2 people show up at my door so far. I never listen to their spiel, I just tell them I'm not interested and shut the door or hang up.

[daycare]

Anybody else being bugged by the childcare union in CA?

I've had 2 phone calls and 2 people show up at my door so far. I never listen to their spiel, I just tell them I'm not interested and shut the door or hang up.

I DID THIS TIME LAST YEAR AND GOT INTO AN ARGUMENT WITH THE LADY. SHE WAS NOT WELL EDUCATED IN HER JOB AND COULD NOT ANSWER ANY OF MY QUESTIONS.

LOL OPps sorry about the caps lock.

I have not seen them this year yet.....I don't have any desire to join

[sharlan]

I don't even ask any questions. I just tell them I'm not interested.

[daycare]

I asked questions because I was very curious what it was about. I had never heard of it before.

[Leigh]

Honest question (NOT trying to argue, because I know NOTHING of childcare unions):

Why is it that providers are against unionizing? All I can see is the positives-what are some of the negatives?

[Baby lady]

I heard from them quite a while back, had some come to the door.

I don't really understand what benefits they offer me :confused:

[daycare]

Honest question (NOT trying to argue, because I know NOTHING of childcare unions):

Why is it that providers are against unionizing? All I can see is the positives-what are some of the negatives?

I was not able to get much information from them so I can't really tell you what exactly they do. I even tried to goolge it months back when I was approached and found nothing.

While I will agree that most unions are there to help and protect you, this one does not seem to have it's act together to do any of that. But again, I don't reallyknow much about it because the Rep that came out could not explain well and could not answer any of my questions. it is possible she was new at her job.

[sharlan]

Honest question (NOT trying to argue, because I know NOTHING of childcare unions):

Why is it that providers are against unionizing? All I can see is the positives-what are some of the negatives?

What are the positives?

[Leigh]

What are the positives?

For one, providers who accept childcare assistance as payment can band together to insist on being paid an honest wage. I saw what some providers are paid by their state, and it's appalling! Some states have rules about providers paying back funds to the state when PARENTS lie about being at work when they're not-a union could negotiate a change to that rule.

I could see more access to education for providers as a result of unionization (negotiated benefits). Protection for providers whose states have forced performance based ratings systems with seemingly arbitrary criteria. Opportunities for those of us on the front lines to participate in shaping the regulations that apply to us (common sense rules, anyone?). Perhaps even access to affordable healthcare for workers.

For me, the opportunity to work as a group to oppose those who are trying to force us to start formal education with infants. There's the possibility of the state helping us create a voluntary retirement fund that we can pay into.

I have worked in the past in union and non-union environments, and hands-down, the union jobs were much better in terms of pay and work environment. I'm VERY pro-union, no doubt, but the idea of childcare unions is pretty new to me. I truly AM interested in what the "cons" might be, just in case this issue comes up in my state. Dues are not something I would consider a drawback, since those dues go to represent me in collective bargaining.

[KidGrind]

For one, providers who accept childcare assistance as payment can band together to insist on being paid an honest wage. I saw what some providers are paid by their state, and it's appalling! Some states have rules about providers paying back funds to the state when PARENTS lie about being at work when they're not-a union could negotiate a change to that rule.

I could see more access to education for providers as a result of unionization (negotiated benefits). Protection for providers whose states have forced performance based ratings systems with seemingly arbitrary criteria. Opportunities for those of us on the front lines to participate in shaping the regulations that apply to us (common sense rules, anyone?). Perhaps even access to affordable healthcare for workers.

For me, the opportunity to work as a group to oppose those who are trying to force us to start formal education with infants. There's the possibility of the state helping us create a voluntary retirement fund that we can pay into.

I have worked in the past in union and non-union environments, and hands-down, the union jobs were much better in terms of pay and work environment. I'm VERY pro-union, no doubt, but the idea of childcare unions is pretty new to me. I truly AM interested in what the "cons" might be, just in case this issue comes up in my state. Dues are not something I would consider a drawback, since those dues go to represent me in collective bargaining.

Well I’ve just heard about providers coming out of the pocket to pay these “unions” who won’t fight for them. New York is a perfect example.

I don’t have a problem with unions who work for the members. Far too many in the last 20 years or so, seem just to collect dues.

[Josiegirl]

They just voted down the union in our state and I'm not sure how I feel about that. They were talking about getting group health care insurance rates, more paid days from state subsidy, better pay from the subsidy, getting paid for trainings. While I'm satisfied with our state rates I really could have used my own health insurance plan. (it's the major reason I'm still separated and not divorced).
I've always heard the negative about unions. Not enough positives.

[DaveA]

Here in IL it gets tossed around every few years before fading away. At least that's what happens downstate- I don't know about the People's Republic of Chicago.

I was asked about helping with organizing it once. Turned them down flat. I'm not completely anti-union, but I want no part of it in childcare, especially FCC.

[Leigh]

They just voted down the union in our state and I'm not sure how I feel about that. They were talking about getting group health care insurance rates, more paid days from state subsidy, better pay from the subsidy, getting paid for trainings. While I'm satisfied with our state rates I really could have used my own health insurance plan. (it's the major reason I'm still separated and not divorced).
I've always heard the negative about unions. Not enough positives.

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.

[Unregistered]

The thing that I have heard about states where the union has gone through is that yes, they have an insurance plan. But that there are a limited number of slots for insurance for providers so you go on a waiting list to get it. And as soon as you have fewer than x children on government assistance, your insurance goes away. So it's dependent on your enrollment that you don't have control over.
As for the assistance payments, doesn't the legislature in your state have control over that? The union can try to get it raised, but so can daycare organizations. The legislature will say yes or no. If your legislature is predominantly democrat, they will be pro-union so they will push to have this, even though they already have the power to raise the rates if they so choose. And if they are predominately republican they will be anti-union and will fight the raise.
Plus the union wants unlicensed (not slamming unlicensed providers) in the union too, even though the majority of the laws and regulations only affect the licensed providers. So then unlicensed provider/union members would have input into laws that only affect licensed providers.
The last thing I will say is that providers had every opportunity to join a union over the past eight years or so, since they started door-knocking. The vast majority of providers did not choose to join, so the unions are trying to force it through legislation (laws).

[sharlan]

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 have no personal experience with a union. Both of my daughters are in a union and I can guarantee that their union does not back the employees. Their local president has a power trip and creates battles where none exist and doesn't deal with real issues.