Child care providers rally at state capital for fair wages and benefits

Hilda Fernandez has worked as a child care provider in Watsonville for 14 years. Along the way, she has faced a number of financial hardships.

“We don’t have a union. Our voice is not recognized. We don’t have health insurance, or benefits. We don’t have none of that,” said Fernandez.

Hundreds of childcare providers rallied on the steps of the capital, Wednesday. They demand that the current law, preventing them from forming a union, be repealed. This would allow them to bargain for fair wages and benefits.

“If something happens to me, it’s my husband’s insurance. That’s it. By them going to Sacramento, and asking the governor to sign this bill, they’re giving us security and they’re giving the kids a better teacher,” said Fernandez.

Assembly Bill 378 aims to give providers, like Fernandez, that security.

Some believe this could drive up the already high prices of childcare, a struggle many parents are familiar with. “Two days a week is $160. Three days a week is $240,” said Salinas parent, Misty Jordan.

According to the Service Employees International Union, the average cost of daycare per child, in California, is $14,000. This is 70% of the average single, working mother’s income.

“Some families barely cover the cost of daycare. One parent works for the daycare and another works for the bills,” said Salinas parent, Stephanie Orozco.

Providers argue that the bill will, in fact, help to make childcare more affordable and accessible, across the board. They hope this will give them the platform to advocate for not only themselves, but the children they care for.

“When we get those benefits, in my mind, my family is taken care of. I know we’ll have health insurance. I know we’re going to have money to pay the bills and I can focus on the kids,” said Fernandez.