Date, theme and location set for WWD 2006:
United we will be stronger: Together we are only the sum of our parts.

Monday, May 1st

10:00-12:00: Hilltop Children’s Center,
2400 8th Ave. W. Seattle 98109

A Forum Discussion: about what’s happening with labor and employers association groups forming, advocacy agendas in the state, and involving parents as partners. We will break out into small facilitated discussion groups after the panel to follow up on ideas and topics that we have more questions about and groups are invited to make action plans to work on after worthy wage day.

12:00 – 2:00: Picnic at Southeast Corner of Rodgers Park, a beautiful playground/grassy lawn park a few blocks from Hilltop (raindate potluck at Hilltop)

Also known as Queen Anne Bowl Park, Our southeast picnic spot is located at 2500 1st Ave W. @W. Raye St. - Bring your families, have the parents and friends and families meet us there! Bring bubbles, bring Frisbees, bring balls and songbooks – let’s gather, amuse ourselves, network, and mingle: let’s celebrate spring!

Hilltop and Rodgers Park are accessible by the number 1, 2, 3, 4, and 13 buses and for more info about the day/bus routes call or email Rebecca at 206-691-9821.

We are looking for people to set up chairs and help greet early arrivals at the picnic, as well as welcoming another speaker or two to the forum!

Organizations represented at Worthy Wage Day 2006: The Child Care Guild/SEIU, Child Care Workforce Alliance/AFT, LEAP Committee, Child Care Licensors, The Child Care Employeers Association, And the various cultural taskforces for child care professionals. Will your group be there?

Download Information:
Worthy Wage Day Flyer (pdf 1000k)
History of Worthy Wage Day
2004 WW Day Fact Sheet

April 29 2005 Child care workers, parents and allies rallied and marched for Worthy Wages Child care workers marched for worthy wages and to demand respect at Worthy Wage Day on April 29th, 2005. This year's Worthy Wage Day focused on the continuing wage crisis in child care, with speakers calling for public support for child care - including support for worthy wages. After the rally and march, post-rally professional training workshops were offered on topics of "A Declaration of Values for Children and Childhood", "Under the Umbrella: Defining and Demonstrating our Quality as Child Care Workers", and "Grassroots Organizing."

Apr 30 2004 Susan Paytner of the Seattle P-I writes about Worthy Wages Since the 1980s, Seattle Worthy Wage Day has rallied and marched to change things. With speakers and balloons, poems and poster-paint signs, child-care teachers and their supporters have worked to convey just how important the early lessons are... more (links to Seattle P-I)

Apr 20 2004 Dorothy Gibson to Key Note at 2004 Rally Dorothy Gibson organizes child care workers throughout Washington. She has worked to unionize centers, supported the Career and Wage Ladder and currently is the organizer for the Child Care Work Force Alliance (WFT).

April 30, 2004
We did it! We met our goals for this year's event:

• The day was fun, exciting and energetic
• We were visible to the public and to show other child care workers that we're not alone
• We provided an opportunity for education, leadership development and networking

Lots of people participated, and in multiple ways:

• Over 300 people attended our rally and march
• 100 people have our t-shirts to promote our theme into the future
• At least 9 centers closed in honor of their skilled staff
• There were over 30 volunteers - from sign makers, peace keepers, DJ's, artists, planners, table setter-uppers, teachers
• Over 50 people came to the STARS classes
• 11 community groups provided outreach tables

And we had lots of community support:

• Three organizations sponsored our event:
  University of the Poor (Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign)
  Child Care Workforce Alliance (AFT)
  Child Care Guild (SEIU Local 925)
• Jobs with Justice helped in a major way
• AFL-CIO and the King County Labor Council helped as well
• We had 3 wonderful speakers for the rally
• The following centers closed in honor of the skilled work of your staff:
  Blazing Trails
  Fauntleroy Children's Center
  Hilltop Children's Center
  Interlake Child Care & Learning Center
  Kidspace
  Little Eagles
  Pacific First Montessori
  Pike Market Child Care and Preschool
  Wallingford Child Care Center
• LEAP provided trainers for the STARS classes
• Pike Market Child Care and Preschool provided space for meetings and trainings
• Thanks to the following groups for setting up outreach tables: MAVIN, School's Out,LEAP, LELO, WROC, Aradia Women's Health Center, Radical Women, and the Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indian Community, GLBT and African American Children's Task Forces
  

The History of Worthy Wage Day in Seattle

More information on the issues:

• Liberation Learning
• Center for the Child Care Workforce (AFT)
• Child Care Guild (SEIU)
• Child Care Workforce Alliance (AFT)
  

Worthy Wage Day is a day for child care workers and families to rally with others concerned about the poverty-wages paid to child care workers. Families depend on child care to provide safe and nurturing places for children. Child care workers are demanding worthy wages for this important work.

Many centers close on Worthy Wage Day, bringing attention to the wage and child care crisis and showing support for their employees. Families, board members, directors and others are invited to join Worthy Wage Day events and activities.

We're working together so we can build political pressure for quality child care for all children. Workers whose centers stay open may also attend, with many centers sending represent who bring news of the day's events back to the center.