The only thing that most people know about labor unions is what they learned by watching Norma Rae. But unions have been around since the early 19th century. A labor union is defined as a legally recognized organization formed to represent, protect and defend the collective rights of workers, primarily in regards to wages and working conditions. In simpler terms, unions are there to protect workers from the evils of unregulated industry.
Unions exist for almost every occupation – police officers, firefighters and teachers are just a few. Service Employees International Union (SEIU) represents more than 1.5 million people working in the healthcare industry, service workers and security guards. Unions are a great idea for many healthcare professionals. The union does, in many cases, ensure these workers fair wages and safe working conditions.
There is a key point in that statement: Unions care about and protect workers. Consumers are of little to no concern to them.
SEIU is attempting to unionize the personal care attendants in Pennsylvania and in other states. They have succeeded in some. The Quality Home Care Commission is proposing a state-run registry for attendants. This would mean that all attendants would be forced to join the union and this registry in order to keep working as attendants and consumers would lose all freedom of choice and control.
Home and community-based service agencies are trying to fight this and keep control in the hands of their consumers. If the union succeeds with the QHCC, a few of the drawbacks would include:
- Consumers will be assigned an attendant from the state registry.
- Consumers would lose any and all freedom of choice. They would no longer be able to recruit, hire or fire an attendant, and would not be able to make the attendant’s schedule.
- Attendants would have to join the registry and would be required to pay up to $300 a year in union dues.
- Because of the limited financial resources of the state, waiting lists for services would become months or even years long.
These are just a few of the disadvantage that will accompany this change. One of the biggest concerns for consumers and providers alike is the ever looming threat of a work slowdown or strike. In the event that either of these was to happen, consumers would be left with no attendant care or interrupted services.
Contact your local agency to find out how you can join in the fight against the QHCC
Megan Abrams - I have lived with the effects of a childhood stroke for more than half my life and offer a uniquely personal perspective on disability.
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