Seattle Press on Line - Wages Average $7.19 an hour for 6,000 Child Care Workers

'Long Overdue Effort' says one employer

Wages Average $7.19 an hour for 6,000 Child Care Workers

Aug 29, 1998 -- District 925 was formed in the struggles of office workers in Cleveland in the 1970's ( Get it? 9-to-5?). At the time it seemed outlandish to think that typists and key punchers, stenographers and clerks would be able to form strong unions like steel workers and autoworkers, to bargain collectively with their employers, hold strikes, demand pensions, win wage increases, seniority, and family leave time. But 925 grew and thrived and changed the nature of office work for thousands of people.

Today in Seattle this union, part of Service Employees International, is spearheading the effort to help child care workers, another large group that simply does not spring to mind when one thinks of militant workers on the march.

But Child care workers are on the march, as the accompanying interviews testify, and local 925 is providing leadership and resources to help them win contracts, respect, dignity on the job, and maybe even pensions.

There are over 6,000 child care workers in King County with average wages of $7.19. Wages are slightly lower for 2,000 additional workers in licensed private homes (1996 figures).

Six Seattle child care centers recently recognized the union and negotiated contracts for their workers.

"They respected the wishes of their workers, and didn't fight them or try to coerce them away from supporting the union as many employers do." Wiley said. "They acted promptly when a majority of workers signed union cards, and then sat down and negotiated contracts."

"I'm proud our program is playing a leading role in helping to make happen this long overdue effort," said Mike Kasperczyk, Director of the Wallingford Child Care and Learning Center, one of the centers that now operates with a union contract.

All employers may not be as cooperative as Kasperczyk. But Local 925 organizer Barb Wiley says new members are joining the union every day, and several more employers will soon be under contract.

"When we have 15 employers, we'll negotiate a master contract, with special clauses covering the unique needs at individual employers. And we also will continue public education and awareness to move public conscience. High turnover among teachers has a bad impact on kids, and that's directly linked to low pay, and low potential for future earnings and pensions."

"In addition," Wiley continued, "We're working with a broad coalition of political leaders and public interest organizations to tackle some of the problems facing the child care industry. Senator Murray is working on starting to get more money into the block grants going to states so there will be more money in the system to pay for workers wages. And on the state level, a pilot project to provide state funds to bring up wages in three counties is under discussion between the coalition, the legislature and Governor Locke's office.

Finally, Wiley said, "we hope to create an employers' association, so all the child care providers together have bargaining clout with health insurers and medical plans. We also hope to see a hiring hall.

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