The workers were able to form a union after Gov. Eliot Spitzer signed an executive order last May granting home-based family child care providers the right to join a union. The executive order created four bargaining units.

Units were subdivided into two in New York City and two covering the rest of the state. The vote today was for providers outside New York City. 

"We are excited to have our union so we make the changes needed to improve our work, get paid on time and care for the children," said child care provider Sherriam McMaster, of Albany, N.Y.

The overwhelming election victory—with 96 percent voting in favor of the union—means the providers have the right to negotiate with the state of New York to solve multiple challenges facing both providers and parents. Negotiations will be held with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).

Reprinted from the AFL-CIO news site, http://blog.aflcio.org