July 14, 2014
By Stephanie West
Washington, DC – According to Minnesota Public Radio, home health care workers in Minnesota are joining SEIU Local 1199. Certainly the fly in the ointment is the U.S. Supreme Court ruling recently that health care workers don't have to pay any union dues.
Union organizers presented a petition to state officials in St. Paul. Minnesota state legislation in 2013 passed a bill that allows a unionization vote by workers who provide care to elderly and disabled people in their homes. There are more than 26,000 home care workers who are eligible to vote. The 9,000 cards delivered to the state Bureau of Mediation Services exceeded the 30 percent required to trigger an election.
Besides union websites, The Star Tribune also mentioned the SEIU successful labor organizing project. According to union statements this could be one of the largest organizing drives in Minnesota state history.
