St. Paul, MN – More than 50 hours after first arriving at the Capitol Saturday afternoon, Sumer Spika joined a tired, but elated group of home care workers and recipients in celebration.

“This is incredible,” said Spika, a home care worker from St. Paul. “Home care workers deserve the same right as other workers to form a union and now, because of this bill, we will soon have that right to choose for ourselves if we want a union.”

The House voted 68 – 66 to approve a bill which extends collective bargaining rights to self-directed home care workers in public programs. The workers and those they care for have been a constant presence throughout session, talking with legislators, holding rallies and testifying at hearings in their support of the bill. Since the House put the bill on the calendar for Saturday, workers have been camped outside the chambers to show their support. If the Governor signs the bill into law, the approximately 12,000 workers would be allowed to start the process of holding an election to vote on a union.

“This bill is about ensuring the basic rights of undervalued workers to choose for themselves if they want to collectively bargain for better wages,” said Rep. Michael Nelson, the chief author of the House version of the bill. “These workers, who are predominately women, now have an opportunity to bargain for improvements in their lives and the lives of the children, seniors and people with disabilities they serve. No longer will our state be able to dismiss the immense value of their work.”

“As we’ve said all along, this bill is simply about giving us the right to choose for ourselves,” said Darleen Henry, a 23-year-old home care worker from Rosemount who cares for her mom. “By forming a union, we can negotiate with the state for better wages, paid time off, even training. Mine and my mother’s future, as well as everyone else’s, could only get better.”

The vote came after more than 10 hours of debate stretching over three days, with Republicans threatening to filibuster with more than 100 amendments. The Senate passed the bill early Wednesday morning after a record-setting 17 hours of debate. Workers across the state have been vocal about their desire to form a union.

“I work hard as a PCA (personal care attendant),” said Vicki Dewald, a home care worker from Detroit Lakes. “My work helps the state save countless dollars that would be spent on a long-term care institution if I wasn’t there to work with my grandson and keep him living independently. By forming a union we can improve conditions for workers, which will keep good PCAs and improve the quality of care clients receive. We should have a say in the programs that benefit us all.”

“Workers need the chance to come together to work for better wages, access to benefits and access to training,” said Jim Lovold, a disability advocate who receives PCA services. “When I do find people to work for me they almost always leave to go do something where they make more money. I support this bill because it will give advocates who use self-directed services and the people who work for us a voice in fixing the system.”

Other states have passed similar legislation allowing self-directed PCAs to organize – those states have seen a reduction in worker turnover and a stabilization of the workforce. Workers and participants there have also seen an increased access to services, better wages and benefits, the creation of registry and referral services, greater access to training and a voice on the job.

A study from the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute (PHI), the nation’s leading authority on the direct care workforce, released a report in January which showed a looming workforce crisis and a care gap of thousands of workers in Minnesota. A union will allow Minnesota to retain and attract enough workers to care for the aging population in their homes and avoid a massive strain on long-term care facilities.

“This is a celebration today,” said Spika. “It’s been a long road in our fight to get the same rights as other workers. We are so thankful to the legislators who voted on this historic bill to support working families, who voted to let us choose for ourselves. This is a win for all of us and we look forward to winning our union vote.”

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SEIU Healthcare Minnesota unites more than 15,000 healthcare and long-term care workers in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home care throughout the state of Minnesota. SEIU represents more than 30,000 members across Minnesota and is a powerful voice working to improve the lives of all Minnesotans.

St. Paul, MN – Since December, Sumer Spika has been talking to anyone who will listen about why she’s supporting a bill that would allow her and 12,000 other home care workers to choose whether they want to join together in a union.

“When I first started as a home care worker, I was offered benefits like health insurance and vacation time,” said Spika. “But over the past four years, my pay has been cut, my vacation time was taken away and the health insurance we are offered is minimal. I no longer have the option of taking a day off because I can’t afford to lose out on the money. I recently gave birth to a beautiful baby boy and because I have no vacation time I was only able to take one week off of work after I had a C-section.”

Now, Spika is sending final requests to House legislators who are expected to take up the bill on Saturday. She will be joining other workers at the Capitol Saturday afternoon to watch the House debate the bill. Spika works in St. Paul as a personal care attendant (PCA) for a six-year-old girl named Jayla who was born with a genetic disorder called Opitz syndrome, pulmonary hypertension and is deaf. Jayla requires breathing treatments and thickened liquids, and needs help eating, toileting, and doing many other activities of daily living.

“I feel very strongly about helping care for Jayla and maintaining the relationship that we have,” continued Spika. “She is an amazing little girl whom I have come to care for deeply. But I have sacrificed financial stability and health insurance, and I do so because I love what I do. If the time comes that I am no longer able to make these sacrifices Jayla is the one it would affect the most. It is important for clients to have a stable workforce to rely on.”

Spika is part of a group of home care workers in Minnesota who have visited the Capitol weekly, written letters to legislators and testified at the State Capitol in support of HF 950/SF 778, which would extend collective bargaining rights to self-directed home care workers in public programs. Unlike workers employed by agencies, these workers employed directly by their clients do not currently have the right to join together in a union under state law, even though the state provides the funding and sets reimbursement rates that determine the workers’ wages. If passed, the bill would allow the workers to call for an election to decide if they would like to join together to collectively bargain with the state for better wages, benefits and standards.

The Senate approved the bill 35-32 Wednesday morning, after Republicans filibustered for a record-setting 17 hours. Home care workers who watched from the gallery say while they were pleased with the outcome, it was a frustrating night.

“I was so aggravated,” said Shaquonica Johnson, a home care worker from St. Paul. “Republicans pretended to fight for workers – but we were there, asking Senators to support the bill. All Republicans did was offer the same amendments over and over. They are certainly not on our side.”

Johnson is hopeful the House will also approve the bill on Saturday. She and other workers, like Mark Kirwin of Minneapolis, continue to show their support for the bill. Kirwin is a home care worker for his wife, who has multiple sclerosis, through the Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) program.

“CDCS has worked well for my family, which is why I feel an obligation to protect and improve it for everyone – people receiving home care, the workers who provide the care and taxpayers who benefit when people stay in their homes and out of expensive health care facilities,” said Kirwin. “Those of us who do this work don’t expect to be in this position. But we’ve risen to the occasion to ensure our loved ones are taken care of. This is why I think it’s important that we have an organized voice.”

In other states where home care workers have joined together in a union, there has been a stabilization of the workforce and an ability to better attract and retain workers. Workers and participants there have also seen an increased access to services, better wages and benefits, the creation of registry and referral services, greater access to training and a voice on the job.

And after months of working to pass the bill, workers and those who receive services are urging legislators in the House to pass the bill as well.

“This bill protects Crissy’s ability to oversee and direct her own care and write her own budget,” said Kirwin. “Please vote to support this bill – it will protect and expand CDCS for my own family and for others who may face a similar challenge.”

“I want to the right to choose to form a Union because I believe we should not accept the way things are,” said Spika. “I believe that as a society and a community we should care for both young and old, and that we should not only value the ones that we care for but also the ones that care for them. A union will give workers a voice, improve the quality of care for elders and people living with disabilities, all while saving the state millions of dollars. We deserve the same rights as other workers to choose to join a union.”

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SEIU Healthcare Minnesota unites more than 15,000 healthcare and long-term care workers in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home care throughout the state of Minnesota. SEIU represents more than 30,000 members across Minnesota and is a powerful voice working to improve the lives of all Minnesotans.

St. Paul, MN – Karen Urman has been fighting for the right to form a union ever since Republicans voted to cut her pay by 20 percent in 2011.

“Because I work as a PCA (personal care attendant) for my son, Ziggy, the Republican-controlled legislature voted to cut my pay,” said Urman, who lives in Mounds View. “That’s when I realized PCAs and home care workers needed to join together to collectively bargain with the state to protect us against further cuts.”

The Court of Appeals struck down the wage cut as unconstitutional in December, writing that it violated the equal protection clause of the Minnesota Constitution. But Republicans still cut the wages of all home care workers by 1.5 percent, which has been a big hit to many workers already dealing with low wages and no benefits.

Urman says she was disappointed to see Republicans claim to be fighting for the rights of workers and those they care for during their 17-hour filibuster of SF 778, which would extend collective bargaining rights to self-directed PCAs in public home care programs.

“They stood up and claimed to be fighting for workers, for Minnesota families, for me,” continued Urman. “It’s unbelievably hypocritical to say that now after they decimated funding for self-directed care two years ago.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by many of the workers who stayed to watch the Senate debate, donning purple to show their support of the bill.

“I was so aggravated,” said Shaquonica Johnson, a home care worker from St. Paul. “Republicans aren’t speaking for us. And to pretend to be fighting for our rights is ridiculous. Workers were there, asking Senators to support the bill. All they did was offer the same amendments over and over. They are certainly not on our side.”

“We want a union,” said Darleen Henry, a home care worker from Rosemount. “We – the workers – should have the right to vote for ourselves if we want to form a union. Legislators who voted against this bill voted against us. It’s as simple as that.”

Home care workers have been a constant presence at the Capitol, delivering letters to legislators, holding rallies in the rotunda, and testifying at hearings in favor of the bill. If passed, the bill would allow approximately 12,000 workers in Minnesota to begin the process of holding an election to vote on whether to form a union.

“I think before the next time Republicans try to reduce our pay we should be able to bargain as a union,” said Mitch Bushey, a home care worker who cares for his adult son in Maple Grove. “The home care program is at risk when workers are underpaid and program funds are cut.”

“If you really support workers, the people we care for, and our families, you will support our right to choose,” said Johnson. “We’re just asking for the same rights as all workers – the chance to decide for ourselves if we want a union. Republicans need to stop claiming to speak for us. If you’re against the bill, just be honest that you’re anti-union and don’t believe workers should have the right to collectively bargain. But stop saying you’re doing this for the workers.”

“The DFL Senators who voted for the bill are those who are on the side of workers,” said Urman. “Senator Bakk was on our side when he made a speech about how his union membership has helped his family. Senator Goodwin was on our side when she changed her mind and decided to vote yes. She did that because of the hypocrisy of the Republicans, and we thank her for realizing we are capable of deciding this for ourselves.”

Workers say they will be at the Capitol in full force on Saturday to show their support, when the House is expected to take up the bill.

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SEIU Healthcare Minnesota unites more than 15,000 healthcare and long-term care workers in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home care throughout the state of Minnesota. SEIU represents more than 30,000 members across Minnesota and is a powerful voice working to improve the lives of all Minnesotans.

St. Paul, MN – More than 14 hours after the Senate began debate, home care workers are expressing frustration as Republicans continue to block a vote on a bill that would extend collective bargaining rights.

“I am so aggravated,” said Darleen Henry, a 23-year-old home care worker from Rosemount who cares for her mom. “Republicans are stalling efforts to grant me the same rights enjoyed by other workers to simply choose whether or not we want to join together in a union. Home care workers are still sitting here, watching and waiting.”

“These Republican Senators are going to such extremes to block a vote allowing us to choose for ourselves,” said Shaquonica Johnson, a home care worker from St. Paul. “They haven’t even started to vote on an actual bill. It’s disappointing.”

Debate began on the Senate floor around 3:30 Tuesday afternoon. Senators approved an amendment from bill author Sen. Sandy Pappas after a couple hours of debate. Following the author’s amendment, Republicans began offering amendments of their own, indicating they had at least 80 waiting to offer.

“Republicans keep asking the same questions over and over,” said Johnson. “They aren’t listening to any of the answers or the voices of the workers. They just keep changing the wording and offering the same amendments to stall the vote.”

“They keep saying workers are opposed to this – but where are these workers?” asked Henry. “I’ve been here since Tuesday morning with other home care workers showing our support for this bill. I haven’t seen any workers here opposed to the bill, yet Republicans seem to look right through those of us who are still here and want this union.

“I am dedicated to this bill,” continued Henry. “But when will they let a vote happen? We’ve had hours of committee hearings, yet this filibuster seems to keep bringing up the same tired arguments over and over. We’ve all spent so much time away from our families – I will be so devastated if this bill doesn’t pass.”

The bill would grant collective bargaining rights to workers in self-directed public home care programs who care for the elderly and those living with disabilities. Unlike workers employed by agencies, these workers employed directly by their clients do not currently have the right to join a union under state law, even though the state provides the funding and sets reimbursement rates that determine the workers’ wages. If passed, the bill would allow the workers to call for an election to decide if they would like to join together to collectively bargain with the state for better wages, benefits and standards.

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SEIU Healthcare Minnesota unites more than 15,000 healthcare and long-term care workers in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home care throughout the state of Minnesota. SEIU represents more than 30,000 members across Minnesota and is a powerful voice working to improve the lives of all Minnesotans.

St. Paul, MN – After 11 committees and a record-setting 17-hour debate on the Senate floor, home care workers are celebrating a win after the Senate voted 35 – 32 to pass a bill that would extend collective bargaining rights to workers in self-directed public home care programs.

“I am so excited to see the Senate pass such an important bill to my family and me,” said Darleen Henry, a 23-year-old home care worker from Rosemount who cares for her mom. “Republicans stalled all night, but I’m happy the Senate ultimately granted me the same rights enjoyed by other workers to simply choose whether or not we want to join together in a union.”

Ziggy Norberg and his mom, Karen Urman, joined Henry in celebration. Norgerg was born with Spina Bifida. At 19, he now attends community college and is a leader in his community, something he says is possible because of his mom, who works for him as his PCA (personal care attendant).

“I am so fortunate to have my mom, because there are fewer and fewer people entering this field due to low wages and a lack of benefits,” said Norberg. “My mom shouldn’t have to struggle to get by because she is a home care worker. It would be nice if along with the hard, round-the-clock work of being a home care worker, my mom could enjoy the benefits and fair wages of a real career.”

Urman assists Norberg with daily tasks that allow him to live independently, rather than in a group home or other institution. The mother-son duo have been a constant presence in the Capitol since February, when lawmakers introduced a bill that would grant collective bargaining rights to self-directed home care workers in public programs. Unlike workers employed by agencies, these workers employed directly by their clients do not currently have the right to join a union under state law, even though the state provides the funding and sets reimbursement rates that determine the workers’ wages. If passed, the bill would allow the workers to call for an election to decide if they would like to join together to collectively bargain with the state for better wages, benefits and standards.

“This bill will strengthen the self-direction model that is so vital to these programs,” said Norberg. “It will also make sure that we can attract the best people to the profession. Home care workers like my Mom should have the same rights as others to join a union and a have a voice in their career. Their work saves the state and taxpayers millions each year – without these workers, the state would have to foot the bill for thousands of people entering nursing homes and institutions.”

Urman, Norberg and Henry were among the sea of purple that awaited the Senate vote which began Tuesday afternoon. By morning, purple still dotted the seats of the gallery.

If passed, the bill would allow Minnesota to follow in footsteps of several other states which have passed similar legislation. Those states have seen a reduction in worker turnover and a stabilization of the workforce. Workers and participants there have also seen an increased access to services, better wages and benefits, the creation of registry and referral services, greater access to training and a voice on the job.

“We just want the same rights as other workers,” said Urman. “Nurses and teachers have the right to form a union. The work we do isn’t more important, but it certainly isn’t less important. We should have the same right to choose for ourselves if we want to join together in a union.”

The bill would extend organizing rights to roughly 12,000 self-directed home care workers in Minnesota.

“When the day finally comes that I might need to find someone else, I want to rest assured that I will be able to find someone who takes the job seriously like my mom does,” said Norberg.

The House is expected to take up the Senate version of the bill later this week. The Governor is expected to sign the bill as well.

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SEIU Healthcare Minnesota unites more than 15,000 healthcare and long-term care workers in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home care throughout the state of Minnesota. SEIU represents more than 30,000 members across Minnesota and is a powerful voice working to improve the lives of all Minnesotans.

St. Paul, MN – Nikki Villavicencio-Tollison is not new to the political process. As a leader among disability advocates, she has spent years working to improve services for the disability community. This year, among her many priorities, is a bill that would grant collective bargaining rights to personal care attendants (PCAs) and other home care workers in self-directed programs.

“Me and other disability advocates have worked hard, and will continue to work hard to ensure that everyone who needs self-directed support services has access to them,” said Villavicencio-Tollison. “But no matter how hard we fight, our services will always be in danger as long as direct support workers are expected to work for low wages with no benefits, little access to training and no voice to change those things. It’s time to give my direct support workers a voice.”

Villavicencio-Tollison receives services through the PCA Choice program, hiring and training her own direct support workers for over 12 years.

“In this program I am the employer. The only thing I don’t control in the PCA choice program is how much my workers are paid. The reimbursement rate is set by the State,” said Villavicencio-Tollison.

On Tuesday the Senate will debate and vote on SF 778, which would extend collective bargaining rights to self-directed home care workers in public programs. Unlike workers employed by agencies, these workers employed directly by their clients do not currently have the right to join together in a union under state law, even though the state provides the funding and sets reimbursement rates that determine the workers’ wages. If passed, the bill would allow the workers to call for an election to decide if they would like to join together to collectively bargain with the state for better wages, benefits and standards.

Pat Winick testified last week at the Senate Finance committee about her experience receiving services through the Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) waiver program after suffering a traumatic brain injury.

“I chose CDCS because I prefer to directly hire, train and direct my own support workers,” said Winick. “Before going on CDCS I had to get support workers through an agency, and I had very little control over who came into my house and very few options if the person they sent wasn’t a good fit for me. Now I am able to choose who comes into my home and set the expectations and boundaries for our work together.”

Winick and Villavicencio-Tollison say they believe this bill strengthens the self-direction model that has served them so well for years.

“While I set the wages for my workers I am limited by what the State gives me to work with in my budget,” said Winick. “Right now workers have no voice in how these budgets are set or what is a fair wage for the services they provide. I look forward to partnering with these organized workers in advocating for more access to and stable funding for self-directed services.”

In other states where home care workers have joined together in a union, there has been a stabilization of the workforce and an ability to better attract and retain workers. Workers and participants there have also seen an increased access to services, better wages and benefits, the creation of registry and referral services, greater access to training and a voice on the job.

Karen Urman says she is ecstatic to see the bill come up for a full vote of the Senate. She’s been visiting the Capitol often this session, along with hundreds of other workers who make weekly trips to show their support for the bill. Urman works as a PCA for her adult son, Ziggy Norberg, who was born with Spina Bifida.

“My son chose me to be his home care worker,” said Urman. “As a PCA, I see low wages and absolutely no benefits, something all too common among home care workers. I want to know that one day, when I’m unable to work as Ziggy’s PCA, there will be a qualified, stable workforce in Minnesota so my son can continue to live independently.”

Urman says as a family caregiver, she believes joining a union is even more crucial. Legislators voted to cut her and other family caregivers’ pay by 20 percent in 2011, before the Court of Appeals ruled the move unconstitutional in December.

“A union will give workers a voice, improve the quality of care for my son and others living with a disability, all while saving the state millions of dollars,” said Urman. “Our work helps elders and people with disabilities live independently in their homes and communities. Without us, the state would be forced to foot the bill for thousands of people who would have to move into a nursing home or other expensive institution. We deserve the same rights as other workers – the chance to vote on whether we want to join together in a union.”

“The time is now for people with disabilities and the workers who support us to be invisible, no more,” said Winick. “I urge the Senate to pass this bill and allow workers the chance to choose for themselves.”

If approved by the Senate, the bill is expected to go to the House later this week for a full vote.

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SEIU Healthcare Minnesota unites more than 15,000 healthcare and long-term care workers in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home care throughout the state of Minnesota. SEIU represents more than 30,000 members across Minnesota and is a powerful voice working to improve the lives of all Minnesotans.

St. Paul, MN – After months of walking the halls, talking with legislators and attending hearings at the State Capitol, home care worker Darleen Henry is overjoyed that a bill that would give her the right to vote on whether she wants to form a union is finally headed to the floor for final votes in both the House and the Senate.

“This bill is a huge deal for my family and me,” said Darleen Henry, who lives in Rosemount. “I want the opportunity to join together in a union with other home care workers so we can make doing this work sustainable. Workers – including me – face low wages and absolutely no benefits, despite working round-the-clock caring for the elderly and people living with disabilities. I don’t want to be forced to leave this career simply because I can’t make ends meet. If that happened, my mom would be forced to move into a nursing home, and that would break her heart and mine.”

Though only 23 years old, Henry has been working as the personal care attendant for her mother ever since her mother suffered a series of small strokes. She has been working with other home care workers who are seeking to change state law so they can have a statewide vote on whether the approximately 12,000 workers would like to join together in a union. The workers have been hard to miss throughout the legislative session, visiting the Capitol each week, attending the many hearings and holding multiple rallies in the Capitol rotunda.

Tonight the Senate Finance committee voted 12 – 10 to send the bill to the full Senate for a final vote on the floor. Last week, members of the House Ways and Means committee approved the bill’s companion, sending it to the full House as well.

The bill would extend collective bargaining rights to self-directed home care workers in public programs. Unlike workers employed by agencies, these workers employed directly by their clients do not currently have the right to join together in a union under state law, even though the state provides the funding and sets reimbursement rates that determine the workers’ wages. If passed, the bill would allow the workers to call for an election to decide if they would like to join together to collectively bargain with the state for better wages, benefits and standards.

“We’re so close to passing this bill, just a couple more votes,” said Pat Winick, who receives services through the Consumer Directed Community Supports waiver program after suffering a traumatic brain injury. “Everyone who does this valuable work deserves to be respected and well compensated. While I set the wages for my workers I am limited by what the State gives me to work with in my budget. Right now workers have no voice in how these budgets are set or what is a fair wage for the services they provide.”

“I have relied on direct support workers for over 12 years,” said Nikki Villavicencio-Tollison, who receives services through the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Choice program. “I need people who understand that I am a confident, independent woman who uses support services and not someone who is sick or broken who needs care. I use the PCA Choice program because it allows me to choose, train, direct and terminate my own workers. In this program I am the employer. The only thing I don’t control in the PCA choice program is how much my workers are paid. The reimbursement rate is set by the State.

“I support this bill because it will give workers the right to form a union to bargain with the State for better wages and access to benefits. It is difficult to find quality, reliable people who are willing and able to work for low wages and no benefits. When I do find someone who is really good and reliable they always end up leaving to make a living wage. When people do stay and work for me full-time they often have to rely on public assistance to be able to feed their families or get health care for their own children,” continued Villavicencio-Tollison.

In other states where home care workers have joined together in a union, there has been a stabilization of the workforce and an ability to better attract and retain workers. Workers and participants there have also seen an increased access to services, better wages and benefits, the creation of registry and referral services, greater access to training and a voice on the job.

“This bill will give these workers the right to vote to form a union so they can finally have a powerful collective voice.  I look forward to partnering with these organized workers in advocating for more access to and stable funding for self-directed services,” said Winick.

“A more stable workforce will save the state money,” said Darleen Henry. “Home care workers allow people to remain living independently in their homes, rather than be forced to choose a more expensive nursing home or institution. I take great pride in knowing my work helps people retire with dignity.

“Home care workers deserve the same rights as other workers,” continued Henry. “Nurses and teachers have the right to form a union. The work we do isn’t more important, but it certainly isn’t less important. Allowing us the right to join together in a union will improve the lives of workers and the people we care for, while making smart decisions for a better future. I look forward to seeing this through to the final votes in the House and Senate. Mine and my mom’s future depends on it.”

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SEIU Healthcare Minnesota unites more than 15,000 healthcare and long term care workers in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home care throughout the state of Minnesota. SEIU represents more than 30,000 members across Minnesota and is a powerful voice working to improve the lives of all Minnesotans.