Weakening workers’ power has been a key tactic by those who want to perpetuate the greatest economic gap in our nation’s history. The Supreme Court’s recent decision in Harris v. Quinn was one more setback for working families whose labor and collective strength helped build America’s Middle Class.
For those not familiar with the case, in a 5-4 divided ruling, the conservative wing of the Court eliminates the union’s ability to charge a fair share fee to bargaining unit members who are not members of the home care union in Illinois. And the court indicates that agency fee arrangements should be confined to contracts covering “full-fledged” public employees.
It’s a bad decision because fair share requirements ensure everyone may share in the costs, and benefits, of collective bargaining. Hundreds of thousands of American families have seen firsthand the life-changing difference it makes when home care workers have a voice in a union: It improves lives. Santa Clara County’s 17,000 home care workers are represented by Service Employees International Union, Local 521. Turnover of caregivers goes down dramatically when home care workers can negotiate improvements in raises, benefits and training, according to a study by the University of California at Berkeley. Simply put: a stable, qualified home care workforce is at the heart of ensuring that seniors and people with disabilities can live with dignity in their own homes.
Home care provider Tonya York is Vice President of SEIU Local 521 in Region 6. She insists this ruling will not deter workers who know standing up for their rights is critical.
“No court case is going to stand in the way of our commitment to putting our community first. Our home care workers will continue using our collective voice to fight for good jobs and quality home care.”
With the baby-boomers approaching retirement, America as a whole is getting older. Today, California has the largest share of the population age 65 and older, and approximately 200,000 of those seniors live in Santa Clara County. By 2030, that number is expected to double, with many of these people needing long-term and in-home care due to illness or disabilities.
Harris v. Quinn was a setback, but we will continue to fight for solutions. I will let our home care provider and leader have the last word:
“Today, we are more determined than ever that joining together in unions is the best way for home care workers to ensure quality care for seniors and people with disabilities who want nothing more than to live independently at home.”
Luisa Blue is the Chief Elected Officer of SEIU Local 521, which represents 57,000 public and private-sector workers in the South Bay, Central Coast and Central Valley.
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