Richard Malone, CEO

YMCA Metropolitan Chicago

1030 W. Van Buren
Chicago, IL 60607
Rmalone@ymcachicago.org

February 27, 2017

Dear Mr. Malone:

We write as the Progressive Reform Caucus of Chicago City Council to urge the YMCA
of Metropolitan Chicago to bargain a fair contract with its child care and early education
workers. It is our obligation to ensure that no one who does the important work of caring
for and educating our youngest and most vulnerable children is forced to accept less
than a living wage.

As members of Chicago’s City Council representing hundreds of thousands of working

families across the city, we believe in the importance of the YMCA’s early childhood
education programs, and the importance of those who dedicate their careers and lives
to this critical work.

Unfortunately, workers are fighting for the same living wages that the families they serve
need so badly. The YMCA lags behind other child care and early learning programs in
pay, and over 40% of the child care workers at the YMCA make just minimum wage.

The over 100 members of SEIU HCII at the YMCA labor provide the best care and
education for the families that they serve, who are predominantly low-income and in
communities of color. Without child care provided by these members, many of the
parents served would be unable to work. We are heartened by the YMCA’s dedication
to the families we serve, but the fight against poverty must include YMCA workers.

Thank you for your time and consideration to this matter. We look forward to hearing
about a resolution and contract that will meaningfully value of these workers and the
services they provide.

Sincerely,

The Progressive Reform Caucus of the Chicago City Council

Ald. Sophia King, 4th Ward

Ald. Leslie Hairston, 5th Ward

Ald. Roderick Sawyer, 6th Ward

Ald. Susan Sadlowski-Garza, 10th Ward

Ald. Toni Foulkes, 16th Ward

Ald. David Moore, 17th Ward

Ald. Ricardo Mu​ñ​oz, 22nd Ward

Ald. Christopher Taliaferro, 29th Ward

Ald. Scott Waguespack, 32nd Ward

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, 35th Ward

Ald. John Arena, 45th Ward