Union Grab by Executive Order

Senator Toni Boucher (R-Wilton) statement on Governor Malloy’s Executive orders to expand union rights to day care workers and personal attendants.

“The effect of these executive orders to facilitate unionization is increased costs and regulation in child and adult personal care services provided in the home. It will also put money in the pockets of special interests through union dues. At a time when our focus should be lowering the costs to our residents who are already shouldering most of the burden of the state’s unrelenting spending increases, this would do just the opposite.

“I understand private union membership is at an all time low. I disagree with the administration, however, that they should be allowed to make up ground in the public sector by adding private child care providers to the definition of who is considered a state employee. Additionally, these dues would come out of the very reimbursement rates providers are looking to increase.

“Money spent on quality programs such as “Care 4 Kids” should go to child care, not union dues. The Legislature can increase reimbursement rates and fund programs without forcibly unionizing daycare providers and home health care workers in Connecticut.

“The executive orders would now make organizing easier by taking away the right to a secret ballot for workers in the field. Without a secret ballot, voters could easily be intimidated by those favoring a position to unionize, a process known as “Card Check.” While the rest of the country moves away from these strong arm practices, it seems Connecticut’s leadership is moving quickly ahead through the use of executive orders, particularly when the legislature opposed such proposals during regular session.”

Senator Boucher is a ranking member on the state’s Education Committee and Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.

Background:

“Care 4 Kids” is a state subsidized program designed to make child care affordable for low to moderate income families in Connecticut by paying relatives to care for family kids. Depending on where a family lives in the state, the weekly reimbursement can be $116 per child up to $304 per child. Approximately 4,000 home-based day care providers, who must be licensed by the Connecticut Department of Public Health, could be affected.

The private vendors targeted by this executive order include: care provided in a child care home, and care provided by a relative and in the relative’s home. Other vendors that receive “Care 4 Kids” state subsidies – including public or private before and after school programs administered by the school; and municipal or town child care programs, administered by the municipality – could also become a target.

By establishing these daycare providers, who receive “Care 4 Kids,” as state employees they could be subject to representation by The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), for the purposes of collective bargaining. The unions would be able to bargain for state reimbursement rates, benefits, payment procedures, contract arbitration, training and professional development.