December 2011
Home Care Timeline
Year by year, side by side, victory by victory! 
2002: Dozens of senior and disability rights groups, civil, religious and community organizations join with SEIU to support home care workers.
2003: Home care workers mobilize to defeat a proposed $17 million cut to the Home Help program.
2004: Home care workers educate the state legislature on issues affecting caregivers and their families, holding a summit at the State Capitol.
2005: Michigan home care providers formally vote to join SEIU.
2006: Home care workers ratify their first-ever contract that includes a raise and a registry to match providers and consumers.
2007: The Healthcare Workers Training Center opens, providing GED classes, MIOSHA Health and Safety Trainings as well as a career ladder for home care workers. Home care workers win a second wage increase.
2008: SEIU home care workers win inclusion in Michigan’s Minimum Wage Law and secure another wage increase.
2009: Home care members participated in hearings in Lansing prompting lawmakers to add $13.5 million in home care wage increases to the budget.
2010: Home care workers across the state write letters to lawmakers urging support for the Home Help program stopping proposed cuts to the program.
2011: Home care workers across Michigan and the country continue to speak out for quality care and a voice on the job winning historic protections from the U.S. Department of Labor.
SEIU Members Take Back the Capitol
Dozens of SEIU Healthcare Michigan members along with hundreds of unemployed workers, community organizers and activists loaded buses to Washington DC recently where they participated in a historical event to take back the capital. More than 3,000 Americans from 46 states, representing the 99% braved rainy weather to make their voices heard. They particpated in a series of events that included sit-ins in the offices of more than 95 lawmakers and an action on K street where 11 were arrested for civil disobedience. There was an amazing level of energy and excitement in the air as people took part in activities at The People’s Camp – a huge area set up near the National mall in the shadow of the Washington Monument right in front of the Capitol. “This was truly amazing,” homecare worker Janice Ishmael said. “I’ve never seen anything like it. The 99 percent stood up and said that we will no longer be ignored and the 1 percent definitely took notice.” Click here for more photos and video from the event. For news coverage of the event, click here.