| Local 613 |
| CSEA Local 1000 AFSCME AFL-CIO |
| August 2007 Newsletter |
| SUNY Potsdam |
| Important and Useful Web Sites |
The New York State Employment Relations Board (SERB)
certified VOICE/CSEA (Voice of Independent Child Care
Educators) as the exclusive bargaining representative for over
7,000 registered family and licensed group family child care
providers yesterday.
"We now have the framework for real change in this industry.
This is an important day for providers, parents and children,"
said CSEA President Danny Donohue.
Gov. Eliot Spitzer issued an executive order on May 11, 2007,
allowing the state to bargain with any union that could show it
represents a majority within four different groups of child care
providers and authorized the New York State Employment
Relations Board (SERB) to verify the majority status of any
union claiming to represent providers.
On May 15, 2007, VOICE/CSEA filed cards with SERB signed
by a majority of licensed and registered providers outside
New York City authorizing the union to represent them. On
July 10, 2007, a SERB judge verified the majority. On July 23,
2007, CSEA received official notification of certification.
"We are ready, willing and able to immediately sit down with
the State of New York and begin addressing the many
problems providers face. We're going to negotiate a contract
that improves our ability to care for our children," said Fran
Nantista, Albany child care provider for 11 years.
"We need to make some economic improvements, including
rates and payments, and we need access to affordable
health, homeowners and liability insurance. We are going to
address a fair grievance and appeals process for when we
have issues with state agencies. We finally have a chance to
certified VOICE/CSEA (Voice of Independent Child Care
Educators) as the exclusive bargaining representative for over
7,000 registered family and licensed group family child care
providers yesterday.
"We now have the framework for real change in this industry.
This is an important day for providers, parents and children,"
said CSEA President Danny Donohue.
Gov. Eliot Spitzer issued an executive order on May 11, 2007,
allowing the state to bargain with any union that could show it
represents a majority within four different groups of child care
providers and authorized the New York State Employment
Relations Board (SERB) to verify the majority status of any
union claiming to represent providers.
On May 15, 2007, VOICE/CSEA filed cards with SERB signed
by a majority of licensed and registered providers outside
New York City authorizing the union to represent them. On
July 10, 2007, a SERB judge verified the majority. On July 23,
2007, CSEA received official notification of certification.
"We are ready, willing and able to immediately sit down with
the State of New York and begin addressing the many
problems providers face. We're going to negotiate a contract
that improves our ability to care for our children," said Fran
Nantista, Albany child care provider for 11 years.
"We need to make some economic improvements, including
rates and payments, and we need access to affordable
health, homeowners and liability insurance. We are going to
address a fair grievance and appeals process for when we
have issues with state agencies. We finally have a chance to
| Daycare Workers find a VOICE with CSEA New York State Declares VOICE/CSEA Certified: Historic certification affects over 7,000 child care workers |
| For more about VOICE, visit VOICE’S website at www.voicecsea.org. |
|
improve the conditions under which we care for our children," said
Kim Bannister, Erie County provider.
The VOICE/CSEA negotiating team will be assembled from the
ranks of VOICE members.
Kim Bannister, Erie County provider.
The VOICE/CSEA negotiating team will be assembled from the
ranks of VOICE members.