Issue: Union recognition

Objective:  To be recognized as the sole and exclusive representative of all non-registered or certified providers for the meet and confer process.

Objective:  To maintain integrity of the unit by being recognized as the representative of the unit regardless of changes to the title of or approach to the program. The state should recognize the integrity of the unit and will not take action intended to erode it.

Objective:  To create a system of regular deduction of union dues and fair share payments, including provisions for voluntary political deductions.

Objective:  To assist providers in issues affecting our employment, the union should be carbon copied on notices sent to all providers, as well as notices sent to individual providers regarding their ability to work as a child care provider.

Issue: Neutral Work Environment

Objective:  To work in an environment free of discrimination, providers should not be discriminated against on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, creed, religion, color, marital or parental status, age, national origin, political beliefs or affiliation, disability or for other non-merit factors, etc.

Objective: To maintain a fair and safe work environment, providers should not be retaliated against, intimidated, restrained or coerced due to exercising rights related to this agreement or general union activity.

Objective:  To maintain fair and free choice, providers should be able to make decisions of union membership and activity without interference from the state. The state should remain neutral on the question of union membership and representation for providers. Questions on this matter should be referred to the union.

Effective Communication with Child Care Providers

Objective: To keep in regular contact with providers and disseminate information by receiving updated lists on a regular basis, in electronic format, including gender, DOB, hire date and hours worked, in addition to contact information.

Objective: To orient new providers to the union and disseminate information, by having the ability to access providers if and when they are called together in a group setting, for the purposes of union orientation.

Objective: To keep providers updated on current union activity, by having the ability to post union information in areas where providers are likely to see it, i.e. field offices, etc.

Issue: Grievance procedure

Objective:  To create a fair and binding process for resolving grievances related to child care and the violation of this agreement (memorialized document), while maintaining a parent’s right to choose his or her provider.

Issue: Timely and Accurate Payments

Objective: To insure that providers are paid on time, through a standardized procedure throughout the state, and have a tracking system to monitor where their payment is in the process.

Objective: To not punish or cause monetary harm to providers who receive overpayments due to agency error. 

Objective: Underpayments due to agency error should be remedied immediately and with penalty.

Objective: To simplify and speed up the payment process, by allowing providers to receive their payments through regular direct bank deposits.

Issue: Taxes

Objective:  To reduce complications in calculating and paying taxes and burdensome payments at the end of the year/quarter, the state should withhold taxes on behalf of providers.

Issue: Parents’ Rights

Objective: To protect parents’ rights to choose a provider regardless of licensing status.

To make child care more affordable for parents, by working together with DHS on joint-solutions to the high co-pays and low eligibility levels facing parents.

Issue: Subsidy rates

Objective: To significantly increase the amount that providers are reimbursed by the state, in order to recognize and respect the work done by child care providers by giving us the pay increases we need and deserve, as well as reduce turnover by attracting and retaining quality caregivers.

Objective: To create a uniform payment system where providers earn the same amount for provision of care regardless of what zip code they reside in.

Issue: Health Insurance

Objective: To maintain a healthy, stable workforce and reduce turnover, the state should provide health insurance coverage that is, at a minimum, equivalent to what home health care workers receive. Child care providers should be rolled into the HUBB program.

Objective:  To protect providers from bearing the burdensome cost of health care and job loss due to injury while caring for children in the state’s ERDC program.

Issue: Training

Objective: To insure access to relevant, no-cost training, offered in the community during non-traditional hours with transportation assistance and child care provided, to meet the unique needs of non-registered and certified providers.