Feds Move to Unionize Home Health Care Workers
21st September 2013
In recent years, unions have successfully lobbied Democrat governors in states like Illinois and Connecticut to unionize home health care workers by executive action. The higher pay workers win is offset by the dues now owed to the union. The Labor Department’s action this week takes a step toward nationalizing this phenomenon.
A little known fact about union collective-bargaining agreements is that they can override federal rules and regulations. Federal regulations may require that employees who work more than 40 hours a week be paid time and a half, but a union contract can supercede that. “We know you are supposed to pay overtime,” a union boss could tell an employer. “But, recognize our union and negotiate a contract and we can waive that mandate.”
By adding more regulations to the home health-care industry, the feds are facilitating the union organizing efforts. They are providing more rules that can be waived in a collective bargaining agreement.