Know Your Rights
When the SEIU wants to gain new members and begin collecting their dues, union bosses will make a pitch to employees on why they should join. But the union usually only tells half of the story, especially for home healthcare workers who make up a large portion of the SEIU’s membership.
Here’s what you should know when considering a union.
What You Need To Know
The SEIU collects dues from home healthcare workers’ Medicaid stipends through a practice called “dues-skimming,” where a portion of the workers’ funds are diverted to the union.
A new law will allow “dues skimming” in Michigan starting in March 2025, affecting 35,000 caregivers who will be required to attend a union-related training session in order to receive Home Help funds.
Home healthcare workers ARE NOT obligated to join a union, as per the 2014 Supreme Court ruling in Harris v. Quinn, though the SEIU may not inform workers of this right.
Skimming Dues from Home Healthcare Workers
The SEIU has long-targeted home healthcare workers as an easy way to add money to the union’s coffers. It’s called “dues-skimming,” and it happens when the union receives a portion of homecare workers’ Medicaid stipend-money that is intended to reimburse workers for their time caring for loved ones. The money being “skimmed” off goes directly to the union in the form of dues, and pays for lobbying or other union advocacy. Many care providers don’t even realize the skim is happening.
Dues-skimming is only allowed in certain states, including California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Other states have outlawed the practice. Michigan used to be one of those states; however, a new law will allow dues-skimming in the state beginning in March 2025.
Under this new law, “35,000 caregivers in the state of Michigan would be required to attend a training session that would involve the union pitching them on membership.” This session is required as a condition of receiving funds from the Home Help program.
Is joining the SEIU mandatory for home healthcare workers?
Regardless of where you live, it is not mandatory for home healthcare workers to join a union. The Supreme Court ruled in the 2014 case of Harris v. Quinn that providers cannot be forced to pay a union in order to receive support.
But the SEIU may not inform caregivers of their right to say “no” to the union. However, it is an option all caregivers have. They are not required to join the union.
Are you a home healthcare worker who has felt pressured by the SEIU? Let us know.
Learn About The SEIU’s History
Poor Leadership
Mistreating Employees
Failing Its Membership
Controversies
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