ANNAPOLIS (Oct. 15) – Governor Martin O’Malley made it official today, signing the first-ever contract for Maryland’s family child care providers at a ceremony in Annapolis. The event marks a milestone in the six-year journey to gain a voice in decision-making for providers who care for children through the state’s child care subsidy program and who are represented by SEIU Local 500.
Madie Green, a District Heights family child care provider who was among the provider-leaders who negotiated the landmark contract, told the crowd, “We are excited and proud to now be working with the state and MSDE [the Maryland State Department of Education] to improve child care for all families. We thank the Governor for his support – by supporting us he stands with Maryland’s low-income mothers and shows his commitment to building a bright future for all of the state’s children.”
Providers achieved significant gains in their first contract, including a subsidy rate increase of nearly 3 percent on average with no corresponding increase in parent co-pays, which increases access for parents, while helping to address notably low reimbursements rates for struggling providers. The contract also creates access for providers to important decision-making committees in the child care system, including the Child Care Advisory Council, and establishes a training committee of providers and state representatives.
“This is an exciting day for Maryland as we sign the first ever collective bargaining agreement with state contractors in Maryland,” said Governor O’Malley. “The hard working professionals of SEIU are vital to the healthy future of so many Marylanders, and it’s our obligation to ensure their rights as contracted workers are protected just as state employees are.”
“It’s a great day, but our work does not end here,” Ms. Green, who is also Local 500’s Vice President of Child Care, explains. “We still need to make the right to our union law – that’s what we’ll be calling on folks in Annapolis to do next session.” The right of family child care workers to organize a union was granted by an executive order issued by Governor O’Malley in 2007. Providers, who have worked productively with the state over the past 18 months negotiating and instituting a first contract, are eager to make this relationship permanent through codifying legislation.
“Local 500 is proud to serve and stand with this spirited, caring and committed group of professionals,” said Merle Cuttitta, President of SEIU Local 500. “We look forward to the next chapter for our local and these dynamic providers.”