Growing Seeds Workers Union Organizer Nat Glitsch joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the need to fund universal preschool as a means to improve the quality of early childhood education.
An affiliate of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 5, the Growing Seeds Workers Union is one of a few private preschool workers unions in the country. It represents preschool workers in Portland, Ore.
During the November 2020 election, voters in Multnomah County, which includes Portland, Ore., passed a measure that funds universal preschool. The program however, will take 10 years to roll out, Glitsch explained. She talked about the importance of universal preschool in providing quality care for young children and easing the financial burden on families who seek childcare.
Glitsch also discussed the abysmal pay and lack of benefits of most early childhood education workers receive and how it impacts programming.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.