Following two weeks of voting which included dozens of member meetings, home visits and online TA educational meetings, CCPU members overwhelmingly ratified our third contract with the State of California. CCPU members voted 99% to approve our new contract.
In addition, over the last few weeks, the state ratified our 2025–28 contract through Senate Bill 151, which means with members’ ratifying the agreement, it is in effect and providers will finally see overdue stabilization payments by the end of 2025.
This is a victory built by the courage and persistence of thousands of providers who organized, mobilized, and refused to back down until the state delivered on security for child care providers across the state.
What We Won in the 2025–28 Contract:
- $37 million ongoing, per year in Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs)
- $90 million one-time stabilization payments
- $80 million ongoing, per year for retirement funding
- $100 million ongoing, per year for healthcare funding
- $15 million ongoing, per year for training and continuing education
- The ability to re-negotiate rate increases if the legislature allocates more money
- Clearer timelines for pay reform, including moving payments to the start of the month
- Continued payment by enrollment(not daily attendance), protecting stability for families and providers
“Providers fought for and won a contract we can be proud of, one that protects our healthcare benefits and positions us to truly transform the child care system our whole state counts on, “As someone who relies on life-saving medication, securing our healthcare coverage in this contract means everything. I’m proud we pushed back when the state put these benefits – and lives like mine – on the chopping block. Fighting for quality care for children in our communities means fighting to take care of our health.”
Anita Vicini, child care provider in Tuolumne County and member of CCPU’s Negotiating Team
While this contract secures critical funding for stabilization, retirement, health care, and ongoing COLAs, the fight for the true cost of care continues. In October, our CCPU member committee will return to the table with the state to determine a final path toward full reimbursement for the cost of providing care.
Right now, 73% of child care providers in state programs do not pay themselves a salary because state reimbursement rates remain far too low. Every day, an average of 24 providers close their doors. Without reform, families lose care and working parents lose the ability to keep their jobs.
But when providers stand united, we win, and we will keep fighting until California’s child care system truly works for every family.
This contract victory was only possible because providers stood together in our union and fought hard for what we deserve. To keep winning, we need to keep building our union power.
CCPU-SEIU Local 521 Members also passed our official chapter bylaws with a 99% vote! Through this bylaws ratification vote, CCPU-SEIU Local 521 is now officially a member chapter of SEIU Local 521.
To view/download the Full Agreement, click here.
