(Washington State) House approves bill to allow unions for child care workers

[Omaha Steve]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/402938_child10.html

By BRIAN SLODYSKO
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

OLYMPIA -- Some child care workers could get collective bargaining rights under a bill passed by the House on Monday.

The bill passed on a 65-31 vote and is headed to the Senate, which is already considering a similar measure.

The House bill allows child care workers to unionize if the day care or school they work for accepts state subsidies for low-income children.

Union membership could be compulsory if a majority of child care facilities accepting state money in a certain region choose to unionize.

Democrats say unionizing child care providers would improve the overall quality of care and education that low-income children receive.

Supporters of the measure said child care facilities often have a lot of turnover because wages are very low and allowing day care workers to negotiate a fair salary will reduce turnover and increase the level of professionalism in the industry.

FULL story at link.