History

In 2008, Democratic Governor Jay Nixon, along with SEIU and AFSCME, pushed for and supported a ballot initiative that was sold as a way to protect seniors and people with disabilities. In reality, this measure simply made it easy for personal care assistant to be unionized. Shockingly, the ballot said nothing at all about the formation or even potential formation of a union.

The question asked of voters:
Shall Missouri law be amended to enable the elderly and Missourians with disabilities to continue living independently in their homes by creating the Missouri Quality Homecare Council to ensure the availability of quality home care services under the Medicaid program by recruiting, training, and stabilizing the home care workforce?
The exact cost of this proposal to state governmental entities is unknown, but is estimated to exceed $510,560 annually. Additional costs for training are possible. Matching federal funds, if available, could reduce state costs. It is estimated there would be no costs or savings to local governmental entities.

The Wall Street Journal picked up on this and reported the following.
As the Associated Press matter-of-factly reported: "The ballot summary shown to voters said nothing about making it easier for in-home care providers to unionize." But that was precisely the function. Now some 13,000 home health workers hired by patients but paid for by Medicaid are on the verge of being recognized as a union.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB40001424052748704471504574442772173150440.html

A lawsuit after the union won an election delayed negotiations until recently. As of July 25, 2014, a contract has not been reached.

http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/mo-home-care-workers-wanting-unionize-clear-last-hurdle

Basic Facts

Union: Collaboration of SEIU and AFSCME
Dues: Still in negotiations
Health Insurance: NO
Fair Share Fees: Unknown
Contract: Still in negotiations