Late Paychecks Spur Outrage — and Action

DES MOINES, IOWA

Iowa's home care workers, who help the disabled and elderly live better lives, were shocked to find that their own well-being was at risk because of chronically late paychecks. Faced with the specter of personal financial disasters, they rose up and spoke out.

Dozens of the workers — who are organizing a union with Council 61 — as well as some of their clients, rallied on Feb. 1 outside the state Department of Human Services (DHS) office, demanding respect and a solution to their pay problems. Then they marched up to the office of the DHS director. He conveniently wasn't there, but — with news reporters watching the confrontation — DHS staff members promised to look into the matter.

That wasn't soon enough for Debbie Stine, whose car had been repossessed and who had to beg to keep her electricity operating. Or for Josie Thomas, who complained bitterly that management treats the workers "as if we had committed a crime" when they call about the late checks. "They told me that I shouldn't consider the money I get as my main pay!"

One week after the protest, the DHS director sat with the workers and assured them that the pay problems would be fixed. In addition, the director said that another company would replace the company responsible for the fiasco, Consultech.

Workers involved in AFSCME's Iowa Home Care Campaign are not satisfied. Understandably so: Most of them lack health insurance, paid time off and other benefits. The home care workers are uniting with AFSCME to address those concerns