An executive order by Governor Pat Quinn if Illinois is forcing home health care workers in the state who are paid to care for their own family members to join a union. The executive order, left on the Governors desk by his predecessor, Rod Blagojovich, would allow family members who care for their own loved ones to bargain collectively with the state. They will select between the SEIU- Service Employees International Union, and AFSCME – American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees.

Union dues will automatically be withheld from their reimbursement checks. An estimated 3,000 family caregivers will join the ranks of the unions of these families cast a ballot in favor of the unions. In some cases, purple shirted SEIU organizers have been knocking on the doors of these family caregivers to urge them to join the union.

This is one more example of how the unions are making inroads into home care by influencing the political process at the state level. What do you think about this situation? Do you have other examples of unions organizing home care workers? Give us your comments below.