Rhode Island’s more than 540 newly unionized family child care providers are expected to begin negotiations this month for a first contract with the state.

The contract talks became possible when the providers of state-subsidized child care voted overwhelmingly in the fall to join the Service Employees International Union and won recognition from the state on Nov. 7.

“We’ve finally got a voice,” said Rosemary Raygada of Providence, one of roughly 50 providers present at the vote count on Oct. 31. “We want to make sure that when we raise up Rhode Island, no child, no family and no professional is left behind.”

As independent business owners, the providers first had to win state legislation allowing them to unionize. The legislation passed earlier this year. It requires the governor to engage in collective bargaining with the providers, who care for an estimated 2,170 of the state’s low-income children. But it does not bestow state-employee status on providers and specifically bars them from receiving state pensions.

Rhode Island’s providers join those in 15 other states — including New York — who have also voted to unionize.

Providence Journal, Nov. 21, Oct. 31