Providers are uniting to stand up for the children in their care

Over 2,000 family child care providers announced today that they have majority support to file for Maine's first-ever union election for home-based child care.

"This election is about providers coming together all across Maine so we can win a stronger voice to ensure that every family has access to high quality, affordable and reliable child care,"said Melanie Collins, a family child care provider from Falmouth. 

Providers will vote by mail-ballot election to certify the Maine State Employee Association - SEIU, Local 1989 as their representative.

Forming a union will allow providers to negotiate with the state to strengthen regulations that affect the families they serve and increase access to training opportunities, affordable health insurance and other improvements that will help providers stay in the profession.

"With SEIU Kids First, we will have a seat at the table,"said Ruth Burke, a family child care provider from Auburn and president of the Maine Family Child Care Association. "I'm excited that our organization is partnering with MSEA-SEIU.   Together, we can work with the state to improve investment in child care services and increase quality so parents can go to work knowing their children are safe and receiving the best care possible."

The historic election reflects a growing trend in child care policy nationwide. Since 2005, ten states have given providers the freedom to form a union, and Illinois, Oregon, and Washington state have already approved union contracts to stabilize the industry and improve access to affordable, quality child care.

Additional Media Contact:  Mike Sylvester, 207-239-1777

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