Vermont Home Care Workers Organize to Amplify Voice

by Jon Melegrito  |  September 05, 2012

Despite brazen attempts by corporate-backed politicians in other states to quash union organizing, Vermont caregivers are pushing ahead to get a law passed that would allow them to form a union.

More than 1,500 home care workers have already signed cards to say they want representation rights so they can bargain collectively with the state over subsidy rates and other working conditions.

The Burlington Free Press takes a closer look at their fight:

“One of the big national trends obvious for a long time, at least since the 1970s, is we’ve had increases in productivity that have not translated into increases in compensation for workers,” argues Elaine McCrate, associate professor of economics and women’s studies at the University of Vermont. “The disparity grows every year.”

That’s why unions continue to have an important role to play, she adds.

“Unions may be down but not out. We will need unions because they provide a democratic voice for workers in a situation where people might otherwise be intimidated about expressing their needs, on the job.”

Earlier this year, AFSCME members came together in the Green Mountain State to support the efforts of caregivers to form Vermont Homecare United/AFSCME.  

There are more than 5,000 caregivers in Vermont. AFSCME represents approximately 125,000 home care providers nationwide.