New York, NY – New York City and District Council 37 announced a tentative five-year contract agreement at City Hall on October 16, 2024, between Local 205 of DC 37 and the Day Care Council of New York. DCCNY will raise wages for thousands of child care providers.
“Working families cannot thrive without child care, and to build a strong child care system in this city, we must invest in the New Yorkers who make it run every day,” said Mayor Adams. “I am thrilled DC 37 and the DCCNY have reached an agreement that will deliver well earned-raises and establish a strong minimum wage for thousands of hard-working New Yorkers. With this agreement, we are helping put more money back into the pockets of working-class New Yorkers and investing in our child care system for years to come.”
The tentative agreement was negotiated between DCCNY and DC 37. This contract covers employees at non-profit child care centers who contract with the New York City Department of Education. This agreement provides compounded wage increases of 16.21 percent and retroactive pay raises. The first increase effective October 1, 2022. The tentative agreement also establishes an $18 per hour minimum pay rate, effective October 2024, provides a $2,000 lump sum ratification bonus to each employee, and a $1,000 per employee contribution towards health insurance for child care workers. Additional payments will also be made every summer to employees working Extended Day and Year Programs, and longevity-based payments which had been suspended for over a decade are to be resumed effective October 1, 2024
“Our day care workers keep this city running — their expertise and care for the youngest New Yorkers allows working families the ability to attend to their jobs and other responsibilities. We are proud that this tentative agreement provides long overdue raises and a ratification bonus for our members, an additional stipend for summer workers, and lifts the minimum rate to $18 per hour, which is aligned with the public sector,” said Henry Garrido, executive director, DC 37. “We also fought for health care and education funding that will help our members take care of their own families and advance in their careers. We thank Mayor Adams, Commissioner Campion, and the Day Care Council for working with us to reach this fair contract for our members.”
The tentative agreement comes on the heels of the Adams administration’s work with the New York City Council to strengthen early childhood education across the five boroughs and address longstanding systemic issues. Early childhood enrollment is now over 150,000 children in the New York City’s early childhood system. During the last 20 months, Mayor Adams has successfully negotiated contracts with unions representing nearly 97 percent of the city’s workforce.
“This agreement shows the city’s respect for our workers and appreciation for their hard work and dedication. Inflation has gone up for many years while our salaries haven’t. We come to work every day to take care of your children, and then we have to provide for our own families,” said Robert Ramos, president, Local 205 Day Care Employees. “This contract will impact every facet of life for our members and alleviate some of the pressures at home. I want to thank the Day Care Council and the city for coming to the table and working with us on a fair agreement.”
