As states and municipalities struggle to recruit and retain qualified foster parents, a bill has been introduced in the Massachusetts legislature, H229, that would grant foster parents the right to collectively bargain with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Family.
If enacted, H229 would classify foster parents as employees of Massachusetts Department of Children and Family operations for the purpose of collective bargaining with the state. Foster parents would not qualify as public employees for other purposes such as state employee workers’ compensation or retirement benefits, and they would be prohibited from engaging in any work stoppages. H229 would give foster parents a way to advocate for themselves and the children they support. In addition, foster parents could join a union and have the labor organization advocate issues with the state. This unionization would include benefits to foster parents that allow for: training, pay rate negotiations, reimbursements, time off, and a dispute resolution processes. Having a union representing foster parents would give them a voice and result in increased retention of foster parents and some protections.
H229 is not the first attempt to win statewide collective bargaining rights for foster parents in the country. In 2006, Washington State foster parents advocated for a similar bill that paralleled successful legislation for daycare workers and caregivers. The Foster Parent Association of Washington State affiliated with the Washington Federation of State Employees. While the legislation was not successful for foster parents regarding collective bargaining, the group was successful in gaining improvements including state health insurance and quarterly meetings with Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services.
Even without formal collective bargaining rights, when legislation is proposed, foster parents have won improvements in working conditions.
However, if foster parents want a seat at the table they will need collective bargaining rights.
