Vermont weighs collective bargaining rights for child care workers

[cali]

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Early educators hoping to win collective bargaining rights are out in force at the Vermont Statehouse, lobbying on behalf of a bill that would recognize child care providers as state employees.

More than 100 people from around the state descended on a hearing room Tuesday ahead of a committee meeting at which supporters and opponents alike are expected to testify. They heard from Gov. Peter Shumlin, House Speaker Shap Smith and two other lawmakers who support the bill, which would permit early educators to negotiate with the state over subsidy rates, health care benefits and licensing issues.

Opponents say the bill, if approved, could cost the state a lot of money at a time when it's facing a $176 million budget gap.

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/4bb4c42c037a47b6a47d06e9125a59d2/VT--Collective-Bargaining/

[Missy Vixen]

1. Most child care employees are lucky to make minimum wage

They get whatever the kids pass on to them, and I'm not talking about treats. What makes illness even more fun is that most child care employees do not have medical insurance, either.

It's a low-paid profession that people claim to value, but really don't, IMHO.

[cali]

5. indeed. that's why it's so encouraging to see the guv and the house majority leader

supporting this.

[CTyankee]

2. decent wages and benefits are GOOD for the states! I don't know why people

think that a "race to the bottom" for workers who care for your own CHILDREN is a bad thing!

[mmonk]

3. I have to give it to Vermont.

Kudos to them for going against the grain of today's politics.

[Initech]

4. It's way past time to make the rich pay.

[Brickbat]

6. State child care workers in St. Louis County, MN, are represented by AFSCME,

if I remember correctly.