Frequently Asked Questions

A union is a group of workers who come together to collectively improve their working conditions. By organizing together in Alameda County, childcare workers can advocate for meaningful and sustainable improvements in early childhood education at the local, state, and federal levels.

Union members gain job security and the ability to negotiate benefits that can include regular pay increases, improved medical coverage, increased paid time off, and better working conditions overall. Through collective advocacy and agreed-upon procedures for solving workplace issues, unions increase transparency and help address challenges in meaningful ways.

Forming a union allows workers to have a collective voice on the job. Union members can negotiate for better wages, benefits, and working conditions through a legally binding contract.

A union provides clear processes for addressing workplace concerns, increases transparency, and ensures workers are treated fairly and consistently.

Yes. Many childcare and early childhood education workers in the Bay Area and across the country are unionized.

SEIU 1021 represents workers at organizations including YMCA of the East Bay, Spanish Speaking Unity Council, Jewish Community Center of the East Bay, City of Oakland Head Start, and more.

No. Under federal law, including the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), it is illegal for employers to retaliate against workers for forming or joining a union.

Signing a union authorization card, organizing with coworkers, or participating in union activities are legally protected rights.

Union dues are 1.74% of base pay and are not collected unless workers successfully bargain and ratify a union contract.

There are no dues collected simply for signing a union authorization card.

No. Strikes are a powerful organizing tool and are only used as a last resort.

A union can never impose a strike. Workers decide whether or not to strike through a democratic majority vote.