Washington House Democrats

Legislature approves union for family child care workers

March 4, 2006

OLYMPIA – Family child care workers received permission from the Legislature today to form a union in order to bargain with the governor for better state subsidies. About 9,000 child care workers who receive a state subsidy to look after children of low-income parents will be affected.

“Working parents want the peace of mind of knowing their child is receiving the best care,” said Rep. Eric Pettigrew (D-Seattle), who sponsored HB 2353. “By allowing caregivers the chance to earn a better living, we make quality child care a reality for more children.”

The bill will allow collective bargaining between the governor and the providers' union to determine the rate of subsidy and reimbursement, health and welfare benefits, professional development and training, and labor-management committees.

Family child care providers are licensed by the state through the Department of Social and Health Services. The state provides subsidies for about 74 percent of all licensed family child care providers. In the past 18 months, over 1,000 providers have stopped caring for children.

“We are not going to abandon low-income children in our communities, whose parents struggle every day to make ends meet,” Pettigrew added.

HB 2353 joins two additional bills sponsored by Pettigrew on their way to the governor’s desk—kinship caregivers are given permission under HB 3139 to seek mental health services for children in their care. HB 3182 brings state law in line with federal law, allowing a tribe to license foster care homes on or near a reservation.

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FOR INTERVIEWS:

Rep. Eric Pettigrew
(360) 786-7838
Pettigrew.Eric@leg.wa.gov

Staff Contact
Michael Itti
(360) 786-7631
Itti.Michael@leg.wa.gov