OKEMOS, Mich. (WILX) – Home caregivers in Michigan are preparing to form a union for the first time in years.
They earned back the right to organize after Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a new state law that lays the groundwork for union formation.
Caregivers from around the state gathered in Okemos Thursday to celebrate their win, joined by acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su.
“How many people here are ready to bargain for better wages, better working conditions?” Su asked the crowd of cheering workers.
Nadia Chisnell is ready. She said when it comes time to settle a contract, better pay is a top priority.
“It has been challenging to say the least,” she told News 10.
Chisnell was forced to quit her full-time job to start taking care of her sister Angela — and Angela’s mom — who both have a disability and need 24/7 care. Her only source of income, Chisnell makes about $800 per month as a caregiver.
“I would say the ability to pay our bills has changed drastically,” she said. “Hopefully it will bring us an opportunity to stay afloat and continue to live within our means as we’ve been trying.”
Fighting to overcome the struggles of the present, Chisnell said caregivers are also focused on what happens after the person they care for doesn’t need them anymore.
“Having training in benefits is a really positive aspect, those opportunities to have better training will suit me in another area,” Chisnell said.
Secretary Su is hoping the opportunity for a caregiver union opens the door for greater economic success.
“When workers have a real voice, they help to create more stability in the workplace, retention is better, productivity is often higher, profitability,” she told News 10. “I mean, all of these things are win-win situations.”
According to Consumer Research Journal Consumer Affairs, the average cost to families to hire an in-home caregiver is $24 an hour, or roughly $50,000 per year before taxes.
Home care workers are being organized by the Service Employees Internation Union. officials said once they have a commitment to unionize from at least 30% of Michigan’s home care workforce, which is currently 35,000 workers strong, contract negotiations can begin.
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