Democrats who control the Washington Legislature are moving to pass a bill that would unionize about 12,000 child care workers.
Supporters say it would improve the quality of child care.
Conservative critics, such as Liv Finne of the Center for Education at the Washington Policy Center, say the state is becoming the bill collector for the union.
The bill would allow the day care workers to join either the Service Employees International Union or a separate teachers union. The state would negotiate reimbursement rates for children from low-income families.
SEIU Local 925 President Kim Cook says the bill would not directly increase wages, but a higher reimbursement rate from the state to day care centers would allow them to pay more in wages.
The Associated Press
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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