Not all daycare owners thrilled about child care unionization
MUKILTEO, Wash. -- Some daycare owners are claiming the unionization of the industry would jeopardize the quality of care given to the state's children.
The criticism comes as some state lawmakers are pushing the plan to bring unions to daycare.
Candi Doran owns the Little Orca Learning Center in Mukilteo, and she's quick with her opinion about joining a union.
"I will not be forced into paying people I do not believe present quality to the public," she said.
Doran has owned the daycare for 18 years, and resents the Service Employees International Union and its attempt to force daycares to join and pay dues.
"There's no benefit to it. They offer me nothing," she said.
Doran says millions of dollars intended for classroom materials and food for children would be instead directed to the union if union membership became mandatory.
But the union doesn't agree with Doran's math, and says its work is enhancing the quality of care for the state's children.
"Our 10,000 providers are leading the fight to protect child care subsidies," said Kim Cook, president of local 925.
Cook said the union has changed its stance, and won't force anyone to join. Because of opposition, Cook said, SEIU decided to modify its proposed bill and give daycares the choice to join instead of pushing for a requirement.
Still, Cook said many daycares want to join because they need a group that will advocate for them in Olympia.
"There is a proposed $88 million cut for subsidies. And if we weren't leading the fight to try to save that money, it would be a lot worse," she said.
But Doran said she can stand up for herself and her daycare instead of paying someone else to do it.
"I'm capable of doing that. I've been down to Olympia for three years," she said.
It is now up to the state Senate to vote on the modified bill. From there, each daycare can opt to join the union by choice, according to SEIU.
The bill already passed the House on a 62-35 vote Wednesday. The same measure passed the House last year, but died after the House would not agree to changes made in the Senate.
The criticism comes as some state lawmakers are pushing the plan to bring unions to daycare.
Candi Doran owns the Little Orca Learning Center in Mukilteo, and she's quick with her opinion about joining a union.
"I will not be forced into paying people I do not believe present quality to the public," she said.
Doran has owned the daycare for 18 years, and resents the Service Employees International Union and its attempt to force daycares to join and pay dues.
"There's no benefit to it. They offer me nothing," she said.
Doran says millions of dollars intended for classroom materials and food for children would be instead directed to the union if union membership became mandatory.
But the union doesn't agree with Doran's math, and says its work is enhancing the quality of care for the state's children.
"Our 10,000 providers are leading the fight to protect child care subsidies," said Kim Cook, president of local 925.
Cook said the union has changed its stance, and won't force anyone to join. Because of opposition, Cook said, SEIU decided to modify its proposed bill and give daycares the choice to join instead of pushing for a requirement.
Still, Cook said many daycares want to join because they need a group that will advocate for them in Olympia.
"There is a proposed $88 million cut for subsidies. And if we weren't leading the fight to try to save that money, it would be a lot worse," she said.
But Doran said she can stand up for herself and her daycare instead of paying someone else to do it.
"I'm capable of doing that. I've been down to Olympia for three years," she said.
It is now up to the state Senate to vote on the modified bill. From there, each daycare can opt to join the union by choice, according to SEIU.
The bill already passed the House on a 62-35 vote Wednesday. The same measure passed the House last year, but died after the House would not agree to changes made in the Senate.
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