PLATTSBURGH — Child-care provider Connie Ouimette says she is paying her dues unwillingly.
Ouimette, who opened Shooting Stars Daycare of Plattsburgh in 2006, says she is one of many child-care providers in the North Country who noticed a deduction in their monthly stipend from Clinton County Social Services beginning in January.
The stipend exists to cover child-care costs for parents who cannot afford it on their own. Ouimette said any reduction in these funds should be a cause for concern.
"After I did some investigating, I realized the payments were being made to the union," she said. "I didn't remember anything about deductions or union dues when we signed a new contract (with Clinton County) last year."
Ouimette had been approached in the past about becoming a member of the relatively new union, Voice of Organized Independent Child Care Educators (VOICE)/Civil Service Employee Association, but opted not to join.
"I think people are confused. I've reached out to over 110 of the 160 child-care providers in the area and only four of them were union members," she said. "If someone isn't a member then why are they paying dues?"
FAIR-SHARE PAYMENT
The 2 percent deduction, recently authorized for automatic payment by New York state, is a fair-share payment made to the child-care union.
It comes out of the Social Services stipend whether or not a provider opts to join.
If the provider is a member, the deduction is used to pay membership dues.
The money is used to help cover the fees associated with the union's advocacy work over the past 10 years.
Providers can learn more about that payment and important issues affecting families around the state at a meeting set for 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Clinton Community College's Stafford Center.
POLITICAL ACTION
According to its website, Child Care Educators is a union group working on behalf of childcare providers in the state of New York that fights for social and economic justice, effecting change through collective bargaining, political action and legislative advocacy.
The group was formed when concerned providers in Schenectady joined together in search of assistance and answers to some major issues that affected their ability to provide proper child care in their area.
Over the years, the organization has grown to more than 7,000 family and group-family providers statewide.
CHANCE TO SPEAK UP
Jill Asencio, a communications specialist for the Civil Service Employee Association, is looking forward to meeting with providers as they share stories and concerns at Thursday's session.
"We really want to encourage people to come forward and use their voice," she said. "This is a great opportunity to talk to North Country child-care providers and be available for them."
She said the organization knows that giving people the opportunity to "speak up and be a part of the discussion" is a great way to get everyone informed and onboard in resolving issues.
Asencio stressed that their intent is to reach out to as many providers as possible.
"We really aim to be open and up front so that we can focus on the task at hand of bringing everyone up to speed. As the need for discussion arises, we are responding," she said.
"We want to really encourage debate, alternative opinions and views."
She said many providers are coming from all over the state to share their experiences and discuss how to focus on their main priority of keeping "families earning and children learning."
'VALID QUESTIONS'
Terrie Tyler Perkins will share her knowledge as a provider at the meeting.
She has owned and operated Live, Laugh, Love in Saranac Lake for 28 years. She knows from experience the issues facing providers such as Ouimette and others.
"Connie has some really valid questions. I know we are all excited to come together to learn more about how we can strengthen our relationships as providers," Perkins said.
She supports the member-driven union group. She said it has helped alleviate a lot of administrative headaches over the years that providers have struggled with in the past, giving them more time to focus on quality care for the children.
"They know the issues and bring them to the attention of the agencies," she said. "They aren't just an external group.
"VOICE is us."
Ouimette remains positive that the session will open the doors for important dialogue.
"It will be a great chance to get everyone in one room and get everyone on the same page," she said.
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