Kids and teachers sing, “Don’t take our choice away, Y-M-C-A!”
SEATTLE—Child care workers are joining together to improve child care for working families, and they want to know why YMCA CEO Robert Gilbertson, Jr. is trying to stop 10,000 teachers and directors from voting on whether to form a union.

“Our goal is to have a strong voice to improve care for the kids,” said Carmen Gilmore, a child care teacher at Child’s Time III in Parkland. “Why are the YMCA’s trying to block our vote?”

Child care workers and their kids will rally at the YMCA’s corporate offices to ask the YMCA to let them vote.


One out of three child care teachers leaves the field each year, undermining the stability children need. Child care teachers average $10 per hour and fewer than half have access to health insurance.

Along with the multinational chains that run KinderCare and La Petite Academy, the Washington YMCA has opposed a state Senate bill that would give teachers and directors at independent centers the right to choose a union and bargain with the state for improved reimbursement rates, affordable health care, and access and support for training. The big chains have convinced legislators to exempt them from the legislation, but are still working to stop independent centers from having their own united voice.

In preparation for the gathering at the YMCA, children and their teachers have been practicing new lyrics to the Village People’s hit song Y-M-C-A: