Unwanted unionization update: Activist calls for Gov. Quinn to rescind executive order

Western Springs, Illinois resident Pam Harris, who cares for her disabled son, spearheaded the drive to prevent the unionization by SEIU or AFSCME of home health care workers like herself.

In June, Gov. Patrick Quinn signed an executive order authorizing an election to determine whether home health care workers who care for family members should be unionized.

Earlier this month a vote was held, and the unions lost--big time.

But the unions, according to Harris, can try again next year.

But two Illinois leglislators, Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Westchester) and Rep. Michael G. Connelly (R-Naperville), have introduced the following resolution to asking Quinn, whose reelection bid has been endorsed by SEIU, to rescind his executive order:

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In June of 2009, the Governor issued Executive Order 15, which allows collective bargaining by individual providers of home-based support services; and

WHEREAS, The Home-Based Services Program provides services to individuals with severe disabilities who need help with daily living activities in order to remain in their communities and live as independently as possible; and

WHEREAS, Many of the individual providers of home-based support services are parents who are providing services to their children; and

WHEREAS, Continuity of care is important for profoundly disabled children who are served in the program; even a minor change in the care provided can have a significant negative impact on the disabled child; and

WHEREAS, The payments given to parents who provide services to their disabled children do not meet the cost of providing care; and

WHEREAS, The unionization of providers of home-based support services would decrease the resources that are available to parents to provide necessary care to their disabled children and could lead to the separation of disabled children from their families and the placement of those children in higher-cost State facilities; and

WHEREAS, Collective bargaining is allowed under many State and federal laws, and many members of the Illinois House of Representatives are strong supporters of America's tradition of collective labor bargaining; and

WHEREAS, Executive Order 15 does not have a regulatory sunset date, and it could allow for repeat and continuous elections; and

WHEREAS, On October 19, 2009, individual providers of home-based support services voted against collective bargaining representation with an overwhelming 66% of the vote; and

WHEREAS, Neither of the two unions seeking collective bargaining status received more than 20% of the vote; and

WHEREAS, It is time to listen to the will of the individual providers of home-based support services; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Governor to reconsider Executive Order 15; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we express our opinion that an objective reconsideration of Executive Order 15 would lead to the withdrawal of the gubernatorial order, as it does not reflect the attitudes and desires of the individual providers of home-based support services that the order sought to help; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Governor of the State of Illinois.

The unions don't care about these disabled Illinoisans and those who care for them. They want dues money to advance their political agenda.

HR720 is the number of the legislation, it can be tracked here, but remember to type in "HR720." If you live in Illinois, contact one of your legislators and ask them to co-sponsor the resolution.

Related posts:

SEIU and AFSCME defeated in Illinois

The insidiousness of SEIU

Technorati tags: Illinois politics illinois politics Democrats Patrick Quinn SEIU labor politics AFSCME