Unions attempt to silence elderly in power grab

VTdigger.org

Imagine if your elderly relative was seeking in-home care and was denied the right to negotiate the terms of care with the caregiver.

Well, the state of Vermont believes it and its union partners know best when it comes to providing care for the elderly and disabled. Senate Bill 59, which already passed the Vermont Senate, puts elected officials and union bosses in charge of setting standards for in-home care. If enacted the bill would force the more than 6,000 home-care workers — comprised of small business owners, independent contractors and family members — to pays dues to a union whether they like it or not.

In addition, the unions attempting to organize Vermont’s home-care workers, including 1199 SEIU Health Care Workers East and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, would add a layer of bureaucracy between the actual caregivers and the state. The union would seize the political voice of these small business owners by controlling work conditions and salary and by taking away their seat at the table to influence regulation and subsidies.

http://vtdigger.org/2013/04/03/kovacs-unions-attempt-to-silence-elderly-in-power-grab/