The wait is over… our union election is ON!
After years of organizing and speaking out, Michigan home care workers finally have the chance to officially form our union. This is a historic moment for us to come together and win real change — not just for ourselves, but for the people we care for.
It’s up to us to take the next step to improve our working conditions and strengthen the essential care services our communities rely on every day…
This is our moment…. Vote YES for our union, SEIU Healthcare Michigan!
A union makes us strong with better pay and better benefits. Here’s what home care workers across the country have won together, united in SEIU:
Oregon: Contracts with a 23% pay increase, a retirement plan and lower healthcare costs.
Alaska: A 10% wage increase and a $32 million in home care funding in the state budget… and the first home care union in the state!
Connecticut: Hourly rates of $23 an hour, longevity increases, expanded access to healthcare, training opportunities, tuition reimbursement and more!
San Francisco, CA: A contract that will raise home care worker wages to $25.50 over the next four years.
Minnesota: Wage increases, $1000 retention bonus, seven paid holidays, more paid time off, funding for training and travel reimbursement.
Washington: Affordable health insurance for home care workers and their families, plus an employer-paid retirement plan.
Election
Information
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A union election is a formal, democratic process that allows workers to decide whether or not they desire to be represented by a labor union. In this election, Michigan home care workers are voting to unite in SEIU Healthcare Michigan.When home care workers united in a union, the days of us feeling isolated, powerless and unseen can be over. A union speaks as one, representing the concerns and needs of all home care workers in our state. Together, we’ll have a voice in decision making and can negotiate a strong contract with the respect, protection and pay we deserve.
United in SEIU Healthcare Michigan, we’ll fight not only for home care workers, but for the children, seniors and people with disabilities who depend on quality home care to live life to the fullest.
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When Gov. Snyder took away home care workers’ rights to a union in 2012, we were robbed of the ability to have a voice in decisions about our jobs and the care we provide. Decisions were made for us, not by us, and that meant no wage increases. No healthcare. No training. No paid time off. No protection. No support. No voice to advocate for ourselves and the people we care for.When home care workers come together in a union, we can address the issues that matter to us:
A living wage and affordable healthcare
Training and continuing education
Paid time off and sick leave … and reliable respite care while we’re away
Job security and retirement benefits
Fair treatment, respect and dignity
The hours our clients actually need — not what the state thinks they need
Overtime pay and reimbursement benefits
The election is on, and this is our moment! Vote YES for our union, SEIU Healthcare Michigan.
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All full-time and regular part-time independent-provider home care workers who were paid by Michigan’s Home Help Program between January 1, 2025 and July 1, 2025 are eligible to vote.
This includes those who were ill or on vacation, sick or military leave. Caregivers who provide services through an agency provider are ineligible.
If this applies to you, and you think home care workers deserve higher wages, better benefits and more support on the job, vote YES for SEIU Healthcare Michigan. -
This election will fly by, so don’t miss your chance to let your voice be heard. Complete and mail back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
Ballots will be mailed no later than September 15, 2025. Check your mail every day, as postal service can vary depending your location.
To ensure your vote is counted, mail your ballot back no later than Wednesday, Oct. 1 in the signed postage-paid envelope.
If you do not receive a ballot by Monday, Sept. 22, you should request a replacement. Contact the Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) at text/call 517-449-8036.
Ballots received after 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 6, 2025 will NOT be counted, regardless of postmark date.
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Voting in our historic home care union election is a monumental step forward.
This secret ballot election is our opportunity to finally address the issues that matter to us, like receiving higher wages and secure benefits for the essential work that we do, and having a stronger voice — together — to advocate for the resources we need to provide the care our clients and loved ones need.
Below are instructions for completing and returning your ballot.
Check your mailbox every day. Eligible voters should receive an official election packet via U.S. Mail by September 22. The election packet will include:An official election ballot
A postage-paid return envelope
When you’re ready to vote, please review and understand all voting instructions. An improperly marked ballot will not be counted, so take your time and follow each step carefully.
Find full voting instructions here.Make your vote count! Mark your ballot and mail it back in the signed postage-page return envelope. Ballots must be received by MERC no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 6.
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We want every home care worker vote to count. Your official election ballot will be mailed to the address on file with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) no later than September 15. If you’re having issues with your ballot or if you haven’t received one in the mail by September 22, you will need to request a replacement ballot right away.
You, as the voting-eligible home care worker, must contact the Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) to have a new secure ballot mailed. Email merc-elections@michigan.gov or text/call 517-499-8036, leaving a message that you are a Home Help caregiver and need a replacement ballot. Be prepared to give them your provider ID number and correct address.
Find full instructions and sample script for requesting a replacement ballot here.
If you need help requesting a replacement ballot, please let us know here. An organizer will be in touch within 24 hours.
After years of fighting for the right to join a union, Michigan home care workers are ready to make history!
We have the opportunity to choose our union, and it’s all because home care workers like us came together and told the state that we’re ready to fight for what we deserve.
When we vote YES to join SEIU Healthcare Michigan, we’re one step closer to winning respect, protection and pay home care workers deserve.
With a voice on the job and a seat at the table, we can finally address the issues that matter to us so we can stay in the jobs we love and give the best care to our communities, no matter where we live or who we care for.
Voting Instructions
Now is the time to vote YES for our union!
By voting in our union election, we have the opportunity to change the future of care in Michigan. When we vote YES to a union, we have the power to bargain a strong union contract with the state and win higher wages, better benefits, respite care, training opportunities and more.
Make your plan to vote. A secret ballot will be mailed to you the week of Sept. 15. Due to the historic number of home care workers voting in this election, we anticipate there could be delays in the U.S. Mail.
Don’t delay! Ballots must be filled out correctly and mailed back by Oct. 1 to have it arrive in time to be counted.
See below for a step-by-step guide to choose our home care workers union, SEIU Healthcare Michigan. The instructions are also available to download in English, Spanish and Arabic.
If you have questions about your ballot or if you need a replacement, contact us here.
Election Assistance
Have you received a ballot?
Has your mailing address changed?
Do you need a replacement ballot?
Do you have questions about our union election?
Get answers to make your vote for union wages and benefits count.The election to win back our home care workers union is underway! Voting YES for SEIU Healthcare Michigan brings us one step closer to winning higher wages, better benefits and a stronger voice in decisions about our essential work. Because this is a historic election of nearly 32,000 home care workers from every zip code in the state, we anticipate mailing could be slower. Don’t delay! Check your mail and send back your completed ballot as soon as you receive it.
Request a Replacement Ballot
If you have not received an official election packet from the Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) via U.S. Mail by Monday, Sept. 22, or if you need to replace a damaged or mismarked ballot, you need to immediately request a replacement.
Step-by-step instructions to submit your secret ballot, or request a replacement, are also available to download in English, Spanish and Arabic.
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Email: merc-elections@michigan.gov
Text/call: 517-449-8036
Dear MERC Official:I am a Home Help home care worker voting in my union election.
I’m requesting a replacement ballot because… [Insert your reason]
I have not received a ballot in the mail.
I recently updated my address with MDHHS.
I lost my ballot package.
I made a mistake on my ballot.
My ballot was damaged.
Other reason
Here is my information:
Full Name
Provider ID
Home Address
Personal or Cell Phone
A Valid Email Address
Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to making my vote count.
Voter Support and Resources
Union organizers are also available to address your questions, or help you to request a new ballot. Complete the form at the link below to request assistance.
About SEIU
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is an organization of more than two million workers, united by their belief in the dignity and worth of workers and the services they provide. As the country’s largest union of healthcare workers, including nearly 800,000 home care workers, SEIU is dedicated to improving the lives of working people by creating a more just and equitable society, and winning #UnionsForAll. Visit SEIU.org.
SEIU Healthcare Michigan (SEIU HCMI) is Michigan’s leading union for healthcare workers. Representing nursing home workers, hospital workers and soon home care workers, HCMI is a member-driven organization that believes every healthcare worker deserves a voice on the job, fair wages and the respect that comes with the essential work we do. Visit seiuhealthcaremi.org.
