Ordinarily, a newly-formed union would start by negotiating a contract that outlines working conditions. But with the pandemic surging, the first priority for Child Care Providers United is emergency relief for providers. Under normal circumstances . at this stage, we d be having discussions around language to start creating a skeleton of a contract, said union Chair Max Arias. But we re in COVID-19 times. We re in the middle of providers closing at an alarming rate.
Between March and November, 2,030 licensed child care homes in California permanently closed 4,400 temporarily shut their doors.
The union s members care for children through California s subsidy programs for low-income families. Since the pandemic broke out, that care has been extended to some essential workers.