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 participants’experience. 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. It’s very important!”

Bushawn McMillan is the singlefather of a 6-year-old son, Naziyr. “I’m here for the advocacy,” he explained. “But my role as a father hinders me. It’s hard to be active with so manydemands.” Local 372 member Corinna Casiano Torres said she’s 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 what’s important to us.”

Participants were treated to a preview of Mayor Bloomberg’s 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 Children’s Services. For more information about the child care coalition and their program, visit their Web site at www.nyunionchildcarecoalition.org.