CCPTM: Provider News

A raise in provider rates and a plan by the DHS to cut hours in provider’s coverage topped the agenda for our second bargaining session.

Ron Barillas, a negotiator for CCPTM, said “there is a crisis in child care and the state of Michigan must place provider rights as a top priority in the budget”.

Currently Michigan has one of the lowest reimbursement rates in the country. That means that many of us have a very hard time meeting our daily needs – from grocery shopping to getting prescription drugs.

The good news is that CCPTM is at the table working with the Michigan Home Based Child Care Council (MHBCCC) to make sure these rates are set to a livable standard.

There is much work that needs to be done and CCPTM will be there pushing for better pay and a voice in our careers. Our team is working hard to make sure we have a say at the table. “We are long overdue for good benefits and good pay”. “I feel positive that we will be able to come out with some needed improvements”, says Daisy Jackson, CCPTM Bargaining Team member.

In addition, the CCPTM Bargaining Team was able to set a meeting to explore establishing a plan for health benefits, an important issue to our members. The meeting will provide us with a good start to a stronger future.

For questions concerning the bargaining process, please call us at 1-888-867-8299.

On April 16, Michigan child care providers made history. That’s the day that members of our union, Child Care Providers Together Michigan (CCPTM), met to negotiate our first contract – one that we hope means better pay and a real say in the work we do.

Before negotiations began, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger and AFSCME Council 25 President Al Garrett spoke about how historic the meeting was. “Until today, providers had no voice in the way the system delivers care. They had no seat at the table where decisions are made that determine how they are treated, what improvements are needed, how we can ensure that the future is brighter for the hundreds of thousands of children in their care,” said UAW President Gettelfinger. Never before have child care providers spoken with one voice to improve our lives and the quality of child care we provide.

More than 30 child care providers showed up at the meeting to show our support for our bargaining team members, who are listed above. Further bargaining sessions are scheduled in the coming weeks.

CCPTM is optimistic about what the future has in store. If you have any questions about the bargaining process, please call us at 1-888-867-8299.

Legislative Update
The State of Michigan is in the middle of a budget crisis. Many politicians are talking about cuts to child care. CCPTM members have been making our voices heard in Lansing. By making calls, meeting with legislators, and writing letters we were able to stop major cuts for this budget year. But we still have big issues to resolve. To get involved call: 1- 888-867-8299.

February 2007 "The Provider" Newsletter
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