This week Governor Newsom signed AB378, which gives childcare providers working in home settings the right to join a union and collectively bargain with the state. The bill covers licensed family child care and license-exempt providers who are caring for a child receiving a child care subsidy.
The bill makes it possible for those workers currently exempt from the National Labor Relations Act to bargain on key issues with the state, including reimbursement rates and payment procedures. AS a result, 40,000 California child care workers now have the opportunity to join with the care providers in 11 other states who are able to negotiate for state improvements to the early childhood care system.
