Capitol News

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy has raised concerns about the recent unionization of Michigan home care providers, questioning the validity of an election in which only 4,205 out of roughly 32,000 eligible caregivers voted to join SEIU Healthcare Michigan. The organization is representing caregivers Tammy Martin and Dick Sullivan in a lawsuit filed in the Michigan Court of Claims, arguing that classifying these workers as public employees violates their constitutional rights.

Tammy Martin provides care for her son who has mitochondrial disease, while Dick Sullivan cares for his adult son. Both oppose representation by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and believe that most home caregivers—often family members caring for loved ones—should not be compelled to join a bargaining unit that they say does not serve their interests.

Derk Wilcox, senior attorney at the Mackinac Center, commented: “SEIU’s so-called ‘win’ in unionizing 32,000 Michigan home-care providers is just a political power grab disguised as representation. Many of these caregivers never asked for a union and will see no real benefit, just dues skimmed from their Medicaid stipends. SEIU has no real bargaining power here; compensation for caregivers is set by state lawmakers. This is a revival of a failed scheme that once funneled tens of millions to the union while doing little for caregivers.”

The Mackinac Center Legal Foundation plans to continue advocating for Michigan caregivers’ right to opt out of unwanted union representation and to keep their full compensation without deductions. More information about the ongoing lawsuit can be found on the Mackinac Center’s website.