ALBANY — The United Federation of Teachers could reap a multimillion-dollar windfall if lawmakers approve a little-noticed provision in Gov. Paterson’s budget that would force day-care workers to pay union dues.
The proposal, buried deep within the governor’s 2010-11 spending plan, would cap a massive labor expansion first authorized in 2007 when then-Gov. Eliot Spitzer gave child-care providers the right to unionize.
The UFT — with help from the lightning-rod activist group ACORN — has since added 28,000 city day-care workers to its ranks and negotiated a contract promising health benefits and better wages at taxpayer expense.
Paterson’s plan would save the UFT — as well as the Civil Service Employees Association, which represents day-care workers outside the city — from having to chase after providers who enjoy benefits but skip out on dues.
Instead, social-service agencies would be allowed to automatically deduct the membership fees for the unions before delivering day-care payments, according to the Albany Times-Union, which first reported the story.
“This is a real favor to them,” said E.J. McMahon of the business-backed Manhattan Institute.
“This will further empower the unions financially. This is the part that really matters to them. This is why they did it.”
A spokesman for the state Division of Budget said the state agreed to the “fair share payments” during contract talks completed last fall.
Paterson’s budget also contains $14 million in new benefits negotiated by the unions on behalf of the state’s more than 50,000 day-care providers.
All told, taxpayers spend nearly $1 billion on child care each year.
“Dues for the overwhelming majority of providers will be $15 a month,” UFT spokesman Dick Riley said. “For this they get union representation, a grievance process, the establishment of a training fund, and medical coverage.”
Several day-care providers contacted by The Post said they were unaware of the union drive, let alone the potential for automatic dues deductions.
Some, however, supported the move.
“I don’t have a problem with it,” said Carmen Andrews, who runs a small family day-care business in Hamilton Heights. But others were more skeptical.
“It depends on what they’re doing for us,” said Harlem day-care provider Jacqueline Baker. “We’re just getting to know this union. We have gotten what we have asked for so far.” Labor groups cheered and the business community howled when Spitzer issued his executive order in May 2007. Previously, day-care workers were considered independent contractors.
The unilateral action came less than a year after then-Gov. George Pataki vetoed a similar measure passed overwhelmingly by the Legislature.
Labor unions, as part of a national effort to expand their ranks, have complained that day-care workers lack benefits and proper wages.
After getting the OK from Spitzer, unions set about organizing day-care workers in a series of lopsided — albeit modestly attended — elections. Members approved their first contract last fall.
Critics complained those covered included unlicensed providers paid to watch one or two kids for a relative.
At the time, Mayor Bloomberg warned the move could cost the city as much as $90 million a year. because many day-care workers are paid by public agencies, as they watch children of the working poor.