No one who works hard caring for your children should live in poverty. That was the resounding cry last month when members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) along with child care workers, parents, and supporters joined together by the U.S. Capitol to announce a resolution that “calls for high-quality, guaranteed, affordable and accessible child care for every American family and a strong child care workforce that is paid a living wage of at least $15 an hour and has a voice on the job.”
Those in attendance were calling for changes because no one who works hard caring for your children should be underpaid or underappreciated. Parents are suffering as well. For a parent with two children—an infant and a four year old—the average cost of center-based child care exceeds the average cost of rent in every state. In 31 states, the average cost of child care for one infant in a center is as much or more than public college tuition and fees.
Speaking at the event, Dawn Oneal, a child care provider from Atlanta, said: “I love my work, but after 15 years in child care, I am still only paid $8.50 an hour. More than anything, I want to have a full life and be able to spend time with my children and grandchildren. That’s why I’m fighting for $15 and a voice at work. Better pay for child care providers means we can support our own families and do our best at work without having to worry about having enough money for food or rent.”
The event kicked-off a multi-city tour to engage families across the country in our call for a child care system that works for parents, providers and children. The new proposals follow a week of wins for underpaid workers fighting for $15 nationwide. From New York to California and even Washington, DC, there was progress on numerous fronts.
