Proposition B would authorize union for home health care workersBy Khadijah Rentas and Emily Coleman Proposition B would authorize the creation of an 11-member Missouri Quality Home Care Council, to be appointed by the governor, which would have the authority to recommend standards and wage rates for home-care workers, recruit more people into the field and make referrals. The proposition also would authorize collective bargaining rights for home-care attendants who work under Medicaid, though the ballot question doesn't mention that provision. Proponents of the measure include Missourians for Quality Home Care and the Disabled Citizens Alliance for Independence, which says it's a way of ensuring fair wages and conditions for home-care workers. Others, however, say the attempt to unionize home-care workers is the primary motivation behind the measure. The Service Employees International Union created Missourians for Quality Home Care and has given more than $1.1 million in cash and in-kind contributions to its campaign for approval of the proposition. Under the proposition, if at least 10 percent of eligible home-care workers approve of a union, the State Board of Mediation would conduct an election by mail to determine whether a full majority of eligible home-care workers want union representation. If so, the Missouri Quality Home Care Council would choose which union would represent them. The results of any bargaining agreements reached on behalf of workers would then be submitted to the council for adoption, modification or rejection. |