Let me be very clear .. I am pro union. However, I think THE JOB of any union must be to stand up for and promote the wages and benefits workers receive. That can create a conflict of interest. For example, there is no obvious reason that the two major teachers’ unions should be taken seriously when they claim to represent the students.
Who does and should represent the students is anther topic, but the same issue is now co0ming to ahead in Seattle where the public supports creation of a universal pre school system and will be on the November ballot.
The proposal put forward by the Mayor and City Council is called Prop 1 B. Prop 1 B spends about 58 million dollars over 4 years to fund a pilot program with the goal of establishing universal preschool. Parents and businesses are enthusiastic because of the benefit to working women. Advocates of children support this because of the evidence that pre K has long lasting benefits. The Unions, however, concerned that the program create union jobs, has put forth Prop 1 A. The actual cost of 1A is unclear because the legislation does not say how many children (as opposed to which workers) would be supported. Estimate are between $3 and $100 million per year.
How can there be so much disagreement? What is clear is the kinds of people who could be hired under Prop 1A ..Union workers who have had specific training. While I support the idea of a union shop, the unions’ ability to define training means that a lot of superb people who now provide for profit daycare (often minimal profit) would be shut out.