Over four dozen Rhode Island home child care providers picketed Saturday morning outside Governor Daniel McKee’s re-election campaign office to demand he settle a fair contract. The date marks one year since childcare providers who are members of SEIU 1199NE first began bargaining with the Department of Human Services (DHS). Today, providers are still without a contract agreement, since DHS’s “last, best, final offer” falls far short of what providers and families need.
Workers had intended to deliver an oversized letter signed by caregivers urging DHS to finish the job, but the campaign office was empty, the doors locked, and the lights off.
Here’s the video:
“I’m here today because I love my job,” said Grisel Gomez, founder of Footprint Home DayCare. “I built my home daycare 26 years ago. For the kids I care for, my daycare is like a second home. I help them grow and thrive, and sometimes, when I see them as adults, they still remember me. This one-on-one care makes all the difference. Daycare and safety are my top priorities, which gives their parents peace of mind.
“I am sad we have to be here today, one year after we began bargaining, asking DHS and Governor McKee to explain why we do not have a contract. DHS’s last, best, final offer does not provide what we need to support our work. I have so many out-of-pocket expenses, including food for the kids, supplies, and daycare insurance. Many of the parents are strangled too, with the child care co-payments. We are frustrated. We don’t feel heard. It does not feel like DHS respects our work. If they had recognized it, we would not have to fight today.
“All we ask is for Governor McKee and DHS to support us. Value our work and give us what we need so we can keep our kids safe. That means settling a fair contract today.”
In April, the union filed an unfair labor practice charge with the State Labor Board, alleging that DHS had made and attempted to make unilateral changes to the family childcare program without good faith bargaining or prior notice.
“These providers need wages that allow them to keep their daycares open,” said Liliana Gutmann-McKenzie, Lead Organizer at 1199NE. “There are more and more family childcare centers closing every week, and we need to ensure that the folks here can keep theirs open. They want a stipend to help provide health insurance. Currently, none of the providers are receiving any health insurance from the state. Many are going without, getting through their spouses, or off the market, which is ever more expensive. Finally, we want paid vacation time for the caretakers of our most vulnerable children. Providers currently do not get any guaranteed paid vacation time. These are not ridiculous requests. These are basic needs for maintaining these businesses.”
Family childcare providers are paid through the Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP), the pool of money available to families earning up to 285% of the federal poverty level. Currently, CCAP pays most providers around $200 per child per week, which must cover their wages and a range of expenses, including health insurance, business expenses, and facility upkeep. For many caregivers, out-of-pocket costs make it increasingly difficult each year to stay afloat. The number of SEIU family childcare providers represented by SEIU 1199NE has decreased by 23% in the last four years, adding to a 68% decrease in licensed child care slots from 2004 (8,448) to 2023 (2,722).
“What we’re seeing right now is that our child care providers are being exploited,” said Representative David Morales (Democrat, District 7, Providence), who is running for Mayor of Providence. “What we are watching is a state government that refuses to negotiate the fair contract you deserve. How does the state expect you to provide a high level of service to take care of our children if, at the same time, we are not prepared to take care of you? That is why we say what is happening right now is not fair.
“Our community is united. Together, we will ensure that the governor cannot ignore us. We know that many politicians only take action during the election. I hope that after today, the governor will realize that he has made a very big mistake. He has made a mistake that, at this moment, cannot be ruled out, but they can build a better system if they are ready to come here, talk to you, and work toward this fair contract. In this moment, what we need is for the governor’s office to realize they made a big mistake. That they overlooked our childcare providers for far too long.”
“One year out of contract? Boo! Is that disrespect? Is that consideration? It’s not acceptable that a lady who works from 6 am to 10 pm, dedicating time, energy, love, and care, doesn’t have insurance. How the hell can somebody without insurance take care of children?” asked Representative Grace Diaz (Democrat, District 11, Providence).
“I’m making legislation to improve the child care system. It’s not fair that home child care providers don’t get good benefits, and it’s your fault, Governor, because in one year we have no contract, and that proves how you care about children, families, and working people. We are here to demand that you sign a contract that provides insurance, vacation time, and the best possible rate for someone who works with dedication. Governor, respect the home childcare providers. We are valuable workers in Rhode Island. Without us, nobody can go to work, okay?”
“I have been a child care provider for over 20 years. I am a member of the 1199 providers negotiating committee and state national representative in the same field. Today. I raise my voice because we need to be here,” said Emma Villa, founder of Emma’s Home Childcare. “We have been negotiating with the state for a new contract for a year, and so far, we haven’t received a response that is fair to our requests.
“Our rights are being denied. DHS has no intention of resolving this. It is not fair that children’s education is being put on the line. Our quality programs are DHS-certified. We comply with all the regulations they require. Our educational plan is of high quality. The children in our program attend school at very high academic levels, and yet we are still called babysitters. We are not babysitters! We are educators! We are professional educators, and as such, we deserve benefits such as health insurance, paid vacation, a retirement plan, and, of course, fair pay. Keep in mind that we are the ones supporting the economy in this country and the State of Rhode Island.
“We earn $6 an hour. That’s nothing! Our work isn’t valued. People who care for pets earn more than those who care for children in our program. We want elected politicians and candidates running for different political positions to know that we are essential workers. It’s not fair that they only come to us when they’re looking for votes, and they forget about us once they get into power.”
One of these days politicians will wake up to ther FACT that good child care is one of the basic building blocks of a strong economy. I do not expect McKee will ever actually figure that out.