Shumlin Supports Legislative Efforts to Allow Early Childhood Educators to Unionize

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“For the thousands of early educators like me who work every day to teach and care for our kids at this critical early age, it means SO much to have the support of so many of our elected leaders,” Said Dawn Gieseke, Director of Rainbow Playschool in Woodstock. “This legislation is an important step to our being able to deliver quality, professional education to all kids under five, which is so important for our families and our economy.”

The legislative effort to create a new regime enabling early childhood educators and caregivers to unionize received a big affirmation from Governor Shumlin today.

The bills – H.97 and S.29 – have 53 and 11 co-sponsors respectively, and that list includes Ds, Ps, and Rs. Expect this one to move forward quickly.

In a press release from the union, Shumlin was also quoted as saying “I would like to recognize and thank the thousands of Early Educators who work in both centers and homes across Vermont. I understand that in order to build a world-class education system in Vermont, the input of these hardworking women and men is invaluable. I support legislation that gives them a seat at the table as partners with state officials who design and implement our education system.”

Complete list of co-sponsors follows the flip (Full disclosure: I’m doing some communications consulting with VEEU/AFT on this effort)

Full list of sponsors

H.97

Larson, Mark

Ancel, Janet

Andrews, Margaret

Bissonnette, Clem

Burke, Mollie S.

Buxton, Sarah E.

Cheney, Margaret

Christie, Kevin “Coach”

Clarkson, Alison H.

Consejo, Michel

Copeland-Hanzas, Sarah

Davis, Susan

Deen, David L.

Edwards, Sarah

Fisher, Michael

Font-Russell, Herb

Frank, Bill

French, Patsy

Grad, Maxine Jo

Hebert, Michael

Hooper, Mary S.

Jerman, Tim

Kitzmiller, Warren F.

Klein, Tony

Lanpher, Diane

Lorber, Jason P.

Macaig, Terry

Marek, Richard J.

Martin, Linda J.

Masland, Jim

McCullough, Jim

Mitchell, Mark B.

Mook, Anne H.

Moran, John

Morrissey, Mary A.

Mrowicki, Michael

Nuovo, Betty A.

Partridge, Carolyn W.

Pearson, Christopher

Poirier, Paul N.

Ram, Kesha K.

Shand, Ernie

Sharpe, Dave

South, Robert

Spengler, Kristy

Stevens, Tom

Stuart, Valerie A.

Taylor, Tess

Townsend, Larry

Webb, Kate

Weston, Rachel

Wizowaty, Suzi

Young, Sam

S.29

Snelling, Diane

Ashe, Tim

Cummings, Ann

Fox, Sally

Lyons, Virginia “Ginny”

MacDonald, Mark A.

McCormack, Dick

Miller, Hinda

Pollina, Anthony

Sears, Dick

White, Jeanette K.

 

3 thoughts on “Shumlin Supports Legislative Efforts to Allow Early Childhood Educators to Unionize”

  1. this is right on so many levels

    thanks to the sponsors and to the governor

    next we need to get businesses more involved in funding childcare; the labor market doesn’t work without it but businesses contribute almost nothing to the cost (while the feds, state & families are maxed out)

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