Working for Worthy Wages tells the story of a unique period of activism in early childhood education from the 1970s through 2002. Although there had been activist movements in the field previous to this one, the movement that spanned these three decades was unique in that it was initiated and led by educators who were passionate about their everyday work with young children, yet recognized the need for better pay and working conditions in order to sustain their livelihoods and better meet the needs of children and families. These early educators were often in opposition to professional leaders and advocates in the field of early childhood education (ECE). The original version of this historical record was published in 2002, when the compensation movement was undergoing a major transition. In response to requests, this update was created by Marcy Whitebook, the original author, along with colleagues Peggy Haack and Rosemarie Vardell. All three women are among the teachers who founded and played leadership roles in the compensation movement from its early phases in the 1970s through the Worthy Wage Campaign of the 1990s. (author abstract)

Contents: 
Preface
Introduction 2023
Naming the Problem: 1970-1985
Worthy Wages as the Key to Better Child Care: 1985-1995
The Compensation Issue Goes Mainstream: 1995-2001
The End of an Era: 2002 Merger With the American Federation of Teachers
Epilogue
Final Note From the Authors of This Update
References
Acknowledgements
Addendum