SACRAMENTO, Calif. – After months of negotiations, rallies, marches and vigils, more than 40,000 California family child care providers represented by Child Care Providers United (CCPU) have reached a historic tentative contract agreement with the state of California.
“This historic agreement will dramatically improve the lives of thousands of child care workers who do some of our most essential jobs. After months of standing together, CCPU members have won continued health care funding, historic pay increases and the first of its kind retirement fund for child care providers in this country,” AFSCME President Lee Saunders said in a statement. “Not only does this agreement deliver long-overdue relief for the everyday heroes who teach and nurture California’s children, it also gives them the security and peace of mind to plan for their own futures.”
He went on to say: “CCPU members have shown that real change is possible when workers speak with one voice in a strong union. All child care providers deserve the same seat at the table.”
The agreement won’t take effect until after CCPU members and the state ratify the tentative agreement later this summer.
Key provisions:
- Close to $600 million over two years in rate increases
- $80 million per year in retirement funding
- $100 million per year in health care funding
- Additional funds for training and continuing education
- Two-year extension of payment by enrollment, not attendance
- Changing the requirement for full-time pay from 30 hours per week to 25 hours per week or more.
Most California child care providers are women of color struggling to make ends meet. In July 2020, they voted overwhelmingly to form a union.
CCPU, which brings together more than 40,000 family child care providers across California, is a partnership of SEIU Local 99, SEIU Local 521 and UDW/AFSCME Local 3930.