Mayor Adams secures historic wage increases for New York City child care workers

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Office of Labor Relations (OLR) Commissioner Renee Campion, District Council 37 (DC 37) Executive Director Henry Garrido, and Day Care Council of New York (DCCNY) Executive Director Tara Gardner today announced a tentative five-year, five-month, and 12-day contract agreement between DC 37/1707, Local 205 (DC 37), and the DCCNY to raise wages for thousands of child care workers across the city and establish an $18 minimum wage.

The tentative agreement negotiated between DCCNY and DC 37 — which covers employees at dozens of non-profit child care organizations who contract with the New York City Department of Education (DOE) — provides compounded wage increases of 16.21 percent.

The wage increases are retroactive, with the first increase effective October 1, 2022. The tentative agreement also establishes an $18 per hour minimum pay rate, effective October 2024, provides a $2,000 lump sum ratification bonus to each employee, and a $1,000 per employee contribution towards health insurance for child care workers.

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Additional payments will also be made every summer to employees working Extended Day and Year Programs, and longevity-based payments which had been suspended for over a decade are to be resumed effective October 1, 2024.

“Working families cannot thrive without child care, and to build a strong child care system in this city, we must invest in the New Yorkers who make it run every day,” said Mayor Adams. “I am thrilled DC 37 and the DCCNY have reached an agreement that will deliver well-earned raises and establish a strong minimum wage for thousands of hard-working New Yorkers. With this agreement, we are helping put more money back into the pockets of working-class New Yorkers and investing in our child care system for years to come.”

“Our early childhood workforce works tirelessly to ensure New York City’s youngest children have the opportunity to receive high-quality education that helps them grow, learn, and thrive. This agreement addresses long-standing wage and compensation inequities and reinforces the Adams administration’s commitment to lifting up our early childhood educators,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana J. Almanzar.

“I am pleased to have assisted the parties in reaching a tentative agreement that provides substantial wage increases and other benefits for these dedicated child care workers while remaining fair to the city taxpayers who fund these programs,” said OLR Commissioner Campion.

“Our early childhood education providers are a cornerstone of our school system,” said DOE Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos.

“Our day care workers keep this city running — their expertise and care for the youngest New Yorkers allows working families the ability to attend to their jobs and other responsibilities. We are proud that this tentative agreement provides long overdue raises and a ratification bonus for our members,” said Henry Garrido, executive director, DC 37.

“This contract will impact every facet of life for our members and alleviate some of the pressures at home,” said Robert Ramos, president, Local 205 Day Care Employees.

“The hardworking, compassionate, and talented individuals in early childhood education are truly New York City’s unsung heroes,” said Tara N. Gardner, executive director, Day Care Council of New York.