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Public Employee Press
Army of advocates
In the coming months, activists will be asking union
members to call or write their legislators to support efforts to increase
funding for child care and to support legislation for a paid family and
medical leave benefit in New York State. A day of skills workshops and
presentations helped activists gear up for their role as advocates.
By JANE LaTOUR
On Saturday, Oct. 15, the New York Union Child Care Coalition trained
hundreds of DC 37 members as activists in the fight for family-friendly
public programs. Their targets include child-care subsidies for low-income
families, paid family and medical leave for New York State working people,
and expanding day care.
Santos Crespo, executive vice president of Dept. of Education Local 372,
welcomed members from manylocals to the all-day conference. The
commitment and courage these individuals show by meeting their personal
responsibilities every day and then getting involved as union activists
is impressive, he told PEP.
How can we be adequate family members without economic support?
asked Coalition Chair Deborah King. Due to the pay inequity that
existsbetween males and females, the burden falls particularly hard on
women, she said, but it really affects everyone in a family.
The economics of caring for children and other family members
called forth stories based on participantsexperience. Margaret Forbes,
a member of Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1549, recalled being
a young mother. I used to work nights for a bank and I paid a lot
of money for child care, although I was not making much money, she
said.
Sam Hibbler, an associate accountant for the Human Resources Administration
and Local 1407 member, told of the days when his 16-year-old son David
was young: We had a hard time finding child care. This is a big
issue for DC 37 members. I hope to do a lot of work with the union on
this. Its very important!
Bushawn McMillan is the singlefather of a 6-year-old son, Naziyr. Im
here for the advocacy, he explained. But my role as a father
hinders me. Its hard to be active with so manydemands. Local
372 member Corinna Casiano Torres said shes now working part-time.
If I could get child care, I would get a full-time job, she
said.
Child care is very important to our members, said Local 1655
Treasurer Tammie Cheeseborough. We need to be active in our locals
so that our presidents know whats important to us.
Participants were treated to a preview of Mayor Bloombergs plan
to double the number of pre-K and child care slots over the next four
years and integrate programs offered by the Dept. of Education, the Human
Resources Administration and the Administration for Childrens Services.
For more information about the child care coalition and their program,
visit their Web site at www.nyunionchildcarecoalition.org.
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