In October 2024, NYC's District Council 37 (DC 37) and the Day Care Council of New York reached a tentative agreement setting what minimum wage for unionized childcare workers?

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Right—$18 per hour, effective October 2024. Here's what this wage floor means and why it still falls short. The five-year agreement between DC 37 (representing thousands of childcare workers at nonprofit centers contracting with NYC DOE) and the Day Care Council delivered 16.21% compounded raises, a $2,000 ratification bonus, and resumed longevity pay that had been frozen for over a decade. Workers also got $1,000 toward health insurance and summer stipends for extended-year programs. But here's the catch: $18/hour is barely above NYC's living wage, and it still lags far behind what public school teachers earn for similar work. Childcare workers need specialized training, manage tiny staff-to-child ratios, and perform emotionally demanding labor—yet many qualify for public assistance themselves. The staffing crisis is real: 56.5% of NYC childcare centers report unfilled positions, and over 250 classrooms sit dark despite waitlists. Without sustained wage parity, workers leave for retail jobs that pay more with less stress.

In October 2024, NYC's District Council 37 (DC 37) and the Day Care Council of New York reached a tentative agreement setting what minimum wage for unionized childcare workers?

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