New York Child Care Providers Win Election

February 19, 2008

YES! – CSEA Pres, Danny Donohue, who is also an International vice president, celebrates victory with child care providers from CCPT-NY/CSEA.

Photo Credit: Jill Asencio

Some 17,000 child care providers across New York state voted overwhelmingly to form a union and join CSEA/Child Care Providers Together – New York (CCPT-NY/CSEA). Civil Service Employees Association/Local 1000 is AFSCME’s largest affiliate in New York state.

Ninety-six percent of the providers chose union representation.

“Today’s victory in New York is historic. This will help New York’s 17,000 child care providers deliver the best quality care and early childhood education for our kids.”

– Pres. Gerald W. McEntee

The win gives providers the right to negotiate with the state on ways to make the delivery of county child care funding more efficient, improve rates and get payments out on time.

“We are excited to have our union so we can make the changes needed to improve our work and care for the children,” says Sherriam McMaster of Albany, a provider for just over a year.

The total number of unionized child care providers represented by CSEA now stands at 25,000, spurred by Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s signing of an Executive Order last year.