A bill is being introduced today to Unionize family child Care providers. I believe providers should take a stand on certain issues regarding this bill, such as the following: 1. The exclusion of over half the providers from voting, many of whom are willing and even registered to accept subsidy payments from the state. 2 The inclusion of unlicensed FFN providers which could out number the licensed providers thus swaying a vote in the unlicensed providers favor. If they want to unionize FFN's, that should be separate from licensed professionals who choose this as a career and have different needs. It's unfair to licensed providers to have their voice drowned out. In MI and IL for example, the number of unlicensed providers eligible to vote was 3 to 5 times higher than the licensed providers. Even if every single licensed provider had voted no, the unlicensed vote could have forced them to unionize anyway. 3. The word "EXCLUSIVE". There are so many different types of providers out there with different views, we should never support any one organization gaining exclusive rights to bargain and negotiate on issues that will impact all providers. All organizations should have a seat at the table. Can you imagine how different this battle on licensing changes would be if the union had gained sole bargaining rights last year? The great work our associations have done would not have happened because we would have been shut out during the negotiation process. 4. The absence of a secret ballot election if the union is able to collect over 50% of the cards. All providers have the right to a vote privately in their homes especially since most were approached during the day while they were busy caring for children. 5. There is nothing in this legislation preventing them from using cards that were obtained 7 years ago. If we were protected by labor law, they wouldn't be able to use cards older than 6 months. They shouldn't be able to use cards obtained so long ago. 6. This should be voluntary. I support everyone's right to join whichever organization they like and sometimes that's multiple organizations. That's the beauty of the first amendment. It guarantees us all the right to associate with whichever organizations we want and to refuse to associate with those we don't want. I think taking that right away and forcing providers to associate in any way with any organization diminishes the rights guaranteed by the first amendment. We are arguably the largest group of small businesses owned by women in the entire state. We deserve the same rights as businesses owned by men and we should stand up for that.  I also think we should urge these committees to hold meetings in the evening and even on weekends so providers can attend. This will drastically change the way we get things done (or don't get things done) and there really isn't a way to get rid of this exclusive relationship without new legislation so providers should be given the opportunity to voice their concerns now, before it's too late.  If you are against the Unionization of Family Childcare providers, we need to to sign our petition.

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