The other night, I attended a candidate forum in White River Junction. This was a local candidate forum focused on:
- Developing a health care system that works for everyone
- Affordable childcare and access to quality early education
- Access to jobs and the impact of cuts to public services
This was part of a series of forums sponsored by the Healthcare Is a Human Right Campaign – Vermont Workers’ Center, Vermont Early Educators United – American Federation of Teachers and the Vermont Center for Independent Living. All local candidates for state senate and house were invited, but only Democrats showed up.
In attendance were Dick McCormack (not pictured; he was late due to a class he was scheduled to teach), Charles Bohi, Mark Mitchell, Kevin Christie, Alice Nitka and Jim Masland.
What you’re seeing here is a picture of, Dawn Gieseke, Director of Rainbow Preschool in Woodstock and Member of Vermont’s Early Educators United asking them a very specific question. She wanted to know if the legislators would support their right to unionize. This is a yes or no question– you either support legislation which allows child care workers to form a union or you don’t.
For most, the answer was a fairly strong “yes,” with a couple simple reservations. For Alice Mitka, it was more of a “probably,” explaining that she wanted to be certain of what it involved and that it would be fair. That’s understandable, but the question wasn’t would the support the union but allow for the choice to form one.
And then there’s Charles Bohi’s response.
In Bohi’s case, his response started with him saying that in forums like this there’s often a question that he knows people won’t like the answer to. He went on to talk about his fairly extensive union background, how he’s supported unions his whole life, detailing quite a long history. If I can get the video, I will post it.
He then went on to waffle saying he couldn’t really support this because he didn’t know what form it would take and whether or not it would work in ways which were beneficial.
This is what he left out: the question wasn’t “will you support our union.” The question was will you support our right to form a union.
There are unions I’ve been part of and unions I’ve left. Not all unions are perfect. But never for a moment would I say that people don’t have the right to unionize.
Under current law, Child Care Providers can not unionize in Vermont. It takes a simple act of the legislature to change that (it’s required to allow for an exception to anti-trust legislation).
I don’t care how much union cred you have in your history. I don’t care how much good you think unions have done in the past. If you refuse to support this unions right to organize and to work collectively with the state of Vermont, you are anti union.
I was at the forum in St Albans last night. A couple of my fellow candidates, including one Democrat, warned that the early educators should watch what they wish for because–THE HORROR–there might be a requirement to get certification. I observed that there was no need to scare people off from organizing and we should embrace a union and certification as a way to guarantee quality services during the most important years of development.
I fully support early educators’ (anybody’s) right to organize. And I fully support legislation to create an antitrust exemption so they can.
Last night I attended the St. Albans People’s Forum, hosted by the same groups. I appreciate the distinction between supporting the right to organize and the support of a specific union.
Early Educators United is a unique case in which independent childcare providers and early educators (another important distinction) are joining their voices. Unlike a traditional labor union which organizes for collective representation at the table with management, Early Educators United would be a diverse group of early ed teachers and childcare providers organizing for collective advocacy.
I support the changes in legislation needed to allow them to organize, and I look forward to working with them to pave the way for all working families to have access to affordable, quality childcare and preschool.
It’s just gross how often politicians and other “leaders” like to describe how pro something (often labor, but we could include environment, health care reform, etc etc) they are and use it to couch that they are, in fact, against what’s being talked about.
And I’ll agree with you in that unions often aren’t perfect- but the funny thing about democratic (and member-oriented) organizations: they’re only as “good” or “strong” as the members themselves make them.
…they’ll be waffling on our ‘right’ to vote.
Am sure he does. I was at the forum in Montpelier. Two GOP candidates were there and they waffled a bit on the union question. All the democrats agreed:) But at least they know that these groups are out there and not easily intimidated.
How does a union work in this situation? Is it only for day care/early ed workers who are employed by centers? Aren’t most of them self-employed? Would the union attempt to stop people from opening a day care without being a member of the union? Is the anti-trust needed to legally discuss and arrange consistent prices?
Any answers would be appreciated.