Beware Of FCCP Unionization

To the Editor:

Governor Malloy’s Executive Order 9 “Allows certain family child care providers who receive subsidies through the Care 4 Kids program run by the Department of Social Services (DSS) to elect a ‘majority representative’ to have non-binding discussions with DSS.”

There have been several attempts through the years to unionize Connecticut family child care providers (FCCPs). There wasn’t the support for it 20 years ago and there truly isn’t support for it now.

It has been mentioned several times that there are about 4,000 FCCPs in Connecticut. There are less than 2,700 “licensed” FCCPs in Connecticut. I believe the majority do not accept Care for Kids money, meaning the majority of the 4,000 individuals touted as FCCPs are in fact not. They are relatives or friends (FFN) exempt from licensing or individuals providing child care services or babysitting who are providing care illegally. So who is it that will actually be unionized and what will it accomplish?

Family child care has always had a voice in Connecticut through associations. Whether or not providers chose to exercise that voice is another matter, but many actively do — belonging to local associations that pay attention to happenings in the legislature that affects them. I believe it was 25 years ago that a group of FCCP in Orange County, Calif., joined the Teamsters Union to have access to affordable health care insurance. They had no delusions about the union affording the group any type of protection. They did it only for the health care insurance.

The SEIU [Service Employees International Union] does not seem to be able to answer any direct question with a direct answer. “Providers can get pay increases.” As sole proprietorships, FCCPs set their own rates. Raising or lowering Care for Kids child care dollars affects the families who have qualified for the program. If fees are reduced then it costs the families more out of pocket or the loss of their FCCP. If fees FCCPs receive are raised less, families will be able to participate in Care for Kids. Again who does this affect? Families, providers, and the state as a whole because who pays for this.

“Providers will have access to more training.” There are plenty of opportunities for all child care providers in all child care settings, including FFN, to participate in training opportunities. Training is offered by local FCC associations, local AEYC’s, director’s groups, etc. Again, what training would SEIU offer and who would pay for it?

“Providers will have more input into regulatory issues affecting child  care.” The FCCPs’ political voice is held within themselves and it bands together through the associations when necessary to fight for what makes sense for child care in this state.

Who is the special interest group here? It does not appear to be the licensed FCCPs at this point.

If this unionization is allowed to happen it will affect more than those receiving Care for Kids dollars. The trickle-down effect of this unionization and its related costs is something to be extremely wary of.

Renee Gill

8 Spruce Drive, Sandy Hook                                    February 22, 2012