Relative/neighbor child care providers across Pennsylvania will now have a strong voice to stand up for affordable, quality child care after voting by a 95 percent majority vote to join together to form a union with Child Care Providers UNITED—a new union affiliated with both AFSCME and SEIU.

They joined the 3,700 registered providers who voted to join CCP UNITED last fall, bringing together a large percentage of Pennsylvania’s home-based providers into a single, unified organization. The providers were determined to rise up for a voice, because without access to affordable health insurance through their work, and no voice in the decisions that affect the kids in their care, many couldn’t afford to stay in the profession—adding to the shortage of quality child care in the state.

With their new unified voice, these Pennsylvania providers will be able to negotiate with the state for more training opportunities, access to federal food program funds, and help with some of the barriers they face when trying to become registered.