As Michigan’s childcare costs rise, workers debate risks of unionizing
Excerpt:
For providers receiving subsidy payments, it’s the easiest path to organizing against the state since this group can meet the legal benchmarks necessary to be considered public employees, said Christian Collins. Collins works at the Center for Law and Social Policy, a progressive policy and research nonprofit and published a 2023 report on childcare unionization across the United States.
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Regardless of current law, Collins said the public-sector path to unionization remains a viable option for Michigan providers if state policymakers decide to again provide those rights to home-based childcare workers, either through legislation or, even more permanently, through a constitutional amendment.
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Collins’ 2023 report lists other examples: Massachusetts won 40 hours of paid personal time off. Illinois increased its subsidy reimbursement rates by 30% and New Jersey increased wages by up to 64%. Washington won health and dental benefits for some providers.
