In Vermont, the Call To Unionize Is Coming From Inside the Home

[Omaha Steve]

http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/15723/in_vermont_the_call_to_unionize_is_coming_from_inside_the_home/

Friday Oct 11, 2013 5:15 pm By David Moberg



Vermont Homecare United members celebrate their big union victory on October 3. (Vermont Healthcare United Facebook)


Last year, Heather Boyd was working as a part-time personal care assistant for her young autistic nephew in the home they shared in Shelburne, Vermont when Carolyn Klinglesmith knocked on her door.

Klinglesmith, an organizer for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), had been going door-to-door to promote the Vermont Homecare United, a newly launched statewide local union in AFSCME that sought rights for Vermont’s thousands of in-home care providers, including Boyd herself.

“As [Klinglesmith] explained how they were organizing to get better working conditions, a living wage, and representation, I was thrilled,” said Boyd. She joined VHU almost immediately and soon became an organizer herself.

In early October, she helped 7,500 fellow home care workers to win the largest union election victory in the state’s history—not to mention the largest nationally this year.

FULL story at link.

[mrsadm]

1. WOW, fantastic!

[madrchsod]

2. finally!