FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2001
February 13, 2001
Magda Lynn Seymour
Diane S. Witiak
(202) 639-6419
Diane S. Witiak
(202) 639-6419
AFGE Commends Morella for Reintroducing Child Care Bill
“Thanks to her, agencies have been allowed, under pilot projects during the last two years, to use existing appropriations to provide child care subsidies to lower income federal employees,” continued Harnage. “The child care subsidies are now so identified with Representative Morella that AFGE members refer to children who benefit from her landmark legislation as ‘Connie’s Kids.’”
“AFGE has wholeheartedly taken up the opportunity to turn Representative Morella’s legislation into a real-life, earned benefit for federal employees, noted Harnage. “AFGE Locals and Councils have negotiated innovative child care subsidy arrangements with the Department of Labor, the Office of Personnel Management, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the General Services Administration.”
“As Representative Morella predicted, her legislation isn’t just good for federal employees—it’s good for the federal government as well,” remarked Harnage. “Agencies can use the child care subsidies to recruit and retain the best possible employees. Moreover, by giving federal employees more certainty with respect to their child care arrangements, the program reduces absenteeism and increases productivity."
“Thanks to the last two years of pilot programs, the foundation for success has been put in place for all to see,” concluded Harnage. “It is now time to make the program permanent. Connie’s Kids deserve no less. As the union that first asked her to introduce the legislation, AFGE looks forward to working with Representative Morella, as well as the distinguished and bipartisan list of 30 cosponsors she has already assembled, to enact the Child Care Affordability for Federal Employees Act.”
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