Missouri – 13,000 Home Care Workers Win Right to Bargain a First Contract

Missouri home care providers won a momentous legal battle court supporting their decision to build dignity and respect through the Missouri Home Care Union, a partnership between AFSCME Council 72 and SEIU. (Photo by Virginia Lee Hunter)

After a four-year struggle to have a voice on the job, improve working conditions and strengthen the quality of care for the people they serve, 13,000 home care workers have finally won the right to have their voices heard and negotiate a first contract.

The state’s home care workers – who provide vital care to the state’s seniors and people with disabilities – prevailed this past fall over a right-wing challenge to their 2010 organizing election victory. The Missouri Supreme Court upheld their victory when it refused to hear an appeal.

Providers will now be able to bargain with the state to improve conditions for themselves and those for whom they provide critical services.

More than four years ago, the providers came together to demand recognition for the work they do and to fight cuts to their programs in the state Legislature. In 2008, voters overwhelmingly passed the Missouri Quality Home Care Act, which gave providers the right to form a union. Home care workers then voted to form their union, but right-wing opponents sought to stymie them in court.

They were also forced to have two elections and wait for this appeal to take its course. But they never gave up and Missouri will have stronger communities because of their tenacity.

“This court decision represents a huge victory for these workers and will now finally allow them to begin bargaining for their first union contract,” said AFSCME Pres. Lee Saunders. AFSCME Sec.-Treas. Laura Reyes, a former home care provider, added, “This is a victory not only for the workers, but for the people and the communities they serve.” AFSCME represents the home care workers in a coalition with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

“This ruling is a huge relief to people like me who rely on home care providers to help us live independently and stay out of nursing homes,” said Edna Austin of Crystal City, Mo.