Union Backs Disgruntled Home Care Workers

Story by Tom Smith

The Service Employees International Union and its sympathizers fired a salvo at non-union employers at City Hall last week.  At issue is the treatment of home care workers who do light housekeeping, cooking and cleaning for clients of a West Side company.

S.E.I.U. Local 880 is working with aldermen Ed Smith (28th), Joe Moore (49th) and Sharon Dixon (24th) to increase pay and improve working conditions for home care providers employed at Family Home Service, Inc.

Ald. Smith introduced a resolution Oct. 31 that called for the city to stop funding for Family Home Service, Inc. for failing to meet state regulations and “engaging in a pattern of worker mistreatment.”

“I reported neglect and unsafe conditions, but Home Service never investigated,” said Family Service employee Deloris Williams at a press conference outside council chambers. Williams is one of 300 company employees, according to Local 880 spokeswoman Brynn Seibert.

Calls to verify any official complaints of neglect filed with the Chicago Department of Aging and Illinois Department of Aging were not returned in time for publication. Williams said some of her clients reported gaps in visits, and some mistreatment.

“Home Service never investigated my complaints,” said Williams.

Ald. Joe Moore (49th) said there needs to be more oversight of home care providers that hold city contracts.

“Every contractor must obey the law. Contractors are not being properly monitored,” said Moore, referencing this case and other contract abuses made public over the past several years.

Family Home Service faces several legal and state administrative challenges. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission has opened an investigation of the company.

Susan Piha, a commission spokeswoman, said the company faces a possible fine of up to $500 a day and a minimum of $10,000 if the company is found in violation of state law.

A class-action lawsuit was filed by current and past employees on April 18, 2007.

The plaintiffs claim Family Home Service violated the state’s minimum wage law because it didn’t pay employees for travel time between clients. When that time is included, the lawsuit claims the pay falls below the current state minimum of $7.50 an hour.

Family Home Service filed a motion to dismiss the class-action suit saying its workers are exempt under the state’s domestic worker exclusion.

The company employs non-union workers but some have tried to organize a union in the past. S.E.I.U. spokeswoman Brynn Seibert said the company used intimidation to squash any attempts at unionizing. Seibert said workers brought their complaint to the National Labor Relations Board.

Seibert said Family Home Service had a home care agreement in 2006 for $12,000. When asked about the small dollar figure and whether S.E.I.U.’s efforts were more about unionizing than any gross city spending abuse, Seibert said, “I don’t think taxpayer dollars should be going to a company with this record.”

Deloris Williams said, “We want better working conditions and respect for our seniors. The company is treating us like slaves.” Calls to Family Home Service were not returned.