Connecticut's Public Act 12-33 allows private personal care attendants to collectively bargain with the state.
Effective July 1, 2012, this Act allows Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) in Connecticut to collectively bargain with the state through the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) for Medicaid reimbursement rates, benefits, payment procedures, contract grievance arbitration, training, professional development, and OTHER REQUIREMENTS.
Click here to read the text of the bill.
"Personal Care Attendants" means anyone who provides supportive home care, direct support services, personal care or ANY OTHER NONPROFESSIONAL SERVICE under a state-funded program for a person with a disability. These services include, but are not limited to, self-directed Personal Support, Individual Home Supports, Individual Day Supports, Respite, Adult Companion, and Transportation that are provided through the Department of Developmental Services.
The bill explicitly states that PCAs are NOT state employees and do NOT have the rights, privileges, and immunities provided to state employees. The bill further states that PCAs are NOT eligible for state-employee benefits such as health benefits and pensions.
All these PCAs are now represented by the SEIU and may be required to pay a fee for that representation.
Click here to see a list of employees who are covered by this bill and are now represented by the SEIU.
If you are on this list then you are now represented by the SEIU. If you employ anyone who is on this list then your employee is now represented by the union and you are now represented by the Personal Care Attendant Workforce Council.
Click here to read the text of the bill.
"Personal Care Attendants" means anyone who provides supportive home care, direct support services, personal care or ANY OTHER NONPROFESSIONAL SERVICE under a state-funded program for a person with a disability. These services include, but are not limited to, self-directed Personal Support, Individual Home Supports, Individual Day Supports, Respite, Adult Companion, and Transportation that are provided through the Department of Developmental Services.
The bill explicitly states that PCAs are NOT state employees and do NOT have the rights, privileges, and immunities provided to state employees. The bill further states that PCAs are NOT eligible for state-employee benefits such as health benefits and pensions.
All these PCAs are now represented by the SEIU and may be required to pay a fee for that representation.
Click here to see a list of employees who are covered by this bill and are now represented by the SEIU.
If you are on this list then you are now represented by the SEIU. If you employ anyone who is on this list then your employee is now represented by the union and you are now represented by the Personal Care Attendant Workforce Council.
This new law was passed over the objections of individuals who live with intellectual disabilities.
This legislation was
OPPOSED by the Council on Developmental Services
(Click here to read the testimony from the Council.)
OPPOSED by the Office of Protection and Advocacy
(Click here to read the testimony of P&A.)
OPPOSED by The Arc Connecticut
(Click here to read the Arc's testimony.)
OPPOSED by the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities
(Click here to read the DD Council's testimony.)
The Department of Social Services estimates that this new law may require additional millions of dollars and may cause some people to lose benefits or to be forced into nursing homes. (Click here to read memos from DSS.)
The Governor's Personal Care Attendant Quality Home Care Workforce Council wrote that individuals who are at the highest level of need may suffer a reduction of hours. (Click here to read an email from the Governor's Workforce Council.)
Following these objections, the original bill died in the Labor Committee, however the language was reintroduced through a strike-all amendment to H.B. 5312 in the 2012 General Assembly where it was debated for twelve hours before it passed.
Click here to watch the debate in the House on CT-N. * Click here to see how our State Representatives voted.
Click here to watch the debate in the Senate on CT-N. * Click here to see how our State Senators voted.
OPPOSED by the Council on Developmental Services
(Click here to read the testimony from the Council.)
OPPOSED by the Office of Protection and Advocacy
(Click here to read the testimony of P&A.)
OPPOSED by The Arc Connecticut
(Click here to read the Arc's testimony.)
OPPOSED by the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities
(Click here to read the DD Council's testimony.)
The Department of Social Services estimates that this new law may require additional millions of dollars and may cause some people to lose benefits or to be forced into nursing homes. (Click here to read memos from DSS.)
The Governor's Personal Care Attendant Quality Home Care Workforce Council wrote that individuals who are at the highest level of need may suffer a reduction of hours. (Click here to read an email from the Governor's Workforce Council.)
Following these objections, the original bill died in the Labor Committee, however the language was reintroduced through a strike-all amendment to H.B. 5312 in the 2012 General Assembly where it was debated for twelve hours before it passed.
Click here to watch the debate in the House on CT-N. * Click here to see how our State Representatives voted.
Click here to watch the debate in the Senate on CT-N. * Click here to see how our State Senators voted.
The SEIU will now negotiate PCA job requirements with the Workforce Council.
In a meeting with consumers, an SEIU representative explained that the union is doing this to increase their membership and their power in the state.
Click here to listen to the SEIU statement.
(3:20 minute, 3.1 MB, MP3 audio file)
(N.B. This recording was made by a parent at a public forum held by the Governor's Personal Care Attendant Quality Home Care Workforce Council. The speaker did not know that his comments were being recorded.)
The SEIU is now conducting a survey of the employees who are covered by the Act to determine what they "want to fight for" in their first union contract.
Click here to see the SEIU questionnaire.
The concerns of individuals who self-direct these services will be represented by a Personal Care Attendant Workforce Council composed of thirteen members, three of whom shall be shall be members of organizations representing the interests of consumers with developmental disabilities.
Click here to read a letter to the Governor asking that he appoint someone who actually self-directs DDS services.
Stand by for notices of meetings of the Workforce Council.
Three lawsuits have been filed and consolidated in Superior Court alleging the Governor and the General Assembly have violated the state and federal constitutions, existing state and federal labor laws, and federal civil rights laws in forcing the unionization of PCAs.
Click here for the status of the lawsuit.
This web page is brought to you by Raising Voices for Action, Inc. http://raisingvoicesforaction.weebly.com
Click here to listen to the SEIU statement.
(3:20 minute, 3.1 MB, MP3 audio file)
(N.B. This recording was made by a parent at a public forum held by the Governor's Personal Care Attendant Quality Home Care Workforce Council. The speaker did not know that his comments were being recorded.)
The SEIU is now conducting a survey of the employees who are covered by the Act to determine what they "want to fight for" in their first union contract.
Click here to see the SEIU questionnaire.
The concerns of individuals who self-direct these services will be represented by a Personal Care Attendant Workforce Council composed of thirteen members, three of whom shall be shall be members of organizations representing the interests of consumers with developmental disabilities.
Click here to read a letter to the Governor asking that he appoint someone who actually self-directs DDS services.
Stand by for notices of meetings of the Workforce Council.
Three lawsuits have been filed and consolidated in Superior Court alleging the Governor and the General Assembly have violated the state and federal constitutions, existing state and federal labor laws, and federal civil rights laws in forcing the unionization of PCAs.
Click here for the status of the lawsuit.
This web page is brought to you by Raising Voices for Action, Inc. http://raisingvoicesforaction.weebly.com