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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Voting in our union election is a monumental step forward.
Voting in this election means so much more than forming a union—it’s a way for us to finally address the issues that matter to us, winning real job security we can count on, receiving a fair wage and benefits for all the work that we do, and being treated with respect.
This is an all-mail election using a paper ballot. The election period is September X, 2025, to October X, 2025. Below are instructions for completing and returning your ballot.
Eligible voters should receive a packet containing an official election ballot on or around September X, 2025. The election packet will include:An official election ballot.
A secret ballot envelope in which to place the completed ballot.
A pre-paid return envelope.
When you’re ready to vote, please review and understand all voting instructions. A faulty ballot will not be counted, so take your time and follow each step carefully.
Find full voting instructions here.
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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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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!
The election takes place September X, 2025, to October X, 2025.
Ballots should arrive in mailboxes by no later than September X, 2025 (depending on the postal service and your location).
To ensure your vote is counted, mail your ballot back no later than 5 days before the election closes on October X, 2025.
Ballots will travel to Detroit (?) to be counted at the Michigan Employment Relations Commission’s headquarters.
Ballots received after October 1, 2025 will NOT be counted, regardless of postmark date.
If you do not receive a ballot, you may request a replacement. The last day to request a replacement ballot is September X, 2025. If you need one, contact the Michigan Employment Relations Commission at [email] or call [number]
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In order to win our union, we need EVERY home care worker to vote in this election. If you’re having issues with your ballot or if you never received one in the mail, you should request a replacement as soon as possible.
Your official election ballot should arrive around [DATE]. If you do not receive your ballot by [DATE], you should contact the Michigan Employment Relations Commission to request a replacement.
Replacement ballots may be requested on or before September X, 2025, from MERC at [email] or call [number]. 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.
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All full-time and regular part-time independent-provider home care workers who were employed by Michigan’s Home Help Program during the payroll period ending MONTH DAY, 2025 (Payroll eligibility date).
If this applies to you and you’ think home care workers deserve higher wages, better benefits and more support on the job, let the state know by voting YES for SEIU Healthcare Michigan. -
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.With a union, the days of feeling alone, isolated and unseen as a home care worker 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.
After years of fighting for the right to join a union, Michigan home care workers are ready to make history!
This is a historic moment, 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 you vote YES to join SEIU Healthcare Michigan, you bring us 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
It’s finally time to VOTE!
Cast your ballot Sept. X–Oct. Y, 2025
By voting in our union election, we have the opportunity to change the future of care in Michigan. When we say 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.
This is an all-mail election. A ballot will be mailed to you, and you must mail back your ballot to cast your vote.
Ballots must be filled out correctly and completely in order to be counted in the election. Follow all voting instructions carefully to ensure your ballot meets each requirement.
If you have questions about your ballot or if you need a replacement, contact us here.
sample ballot
TO VOTE IN OUR
UNION ELECTION:
Grab a black permanent marker, or a blue or black ink pen. Read the voting instructions carefully.
Do not use a pencil or anything that can easily smudge or rub off.
Using your permanent marker or blue or black ink pen, mark an X in the ▢ square next to your selection.
See examples of valid and invalid markings below.
SIGN YOUR BALLOT in the enclosed signature section.
Ballots without a clear signature will not be counted.
Place your completed, SIGNED ballot inside the secret ballot envelope included in your election packet.
Place the secret ballot envelope in the enclosed prepaid RETURN ENVELOPE and seal it.
Do not include any other material inside the RETURN ENVELOPE.
Print your name and address in the space provided in the upper left of the front of the RETURN ENVELOPE.
Ballots not returned in the provided RETURN ENVELOPE will not be counted.
Seal the RETURN ENVELOPE and place it in a USPS mailbox.
Ballots must be returned by U.S. Mail to be counted. Hand-delivered ballots will not be counted.
Due to the slowdown of USPS deliveries, you are encouraged to vote and return your ballot immediately upon receipt.
Ballots received after TIME Oct. X, 2025, will not be counted.
Election Assistance
Request a Replacement Ballot
Make a mistake on your ballot?
Was your ballot damaged or lost?
Did you not receive a ballot?
If so, you’ll need to request a new one!
Requests for a replacement ballot must be submitted to the Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) no later than September X, 2025.
Contact MERC by [email] or phone [number].
Be prepared to give them your provider ID number and correct address.
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“Dear [DENISE?},
I am a Home Help home care worker voting in my union election. I write to request a replacement ballot.
I’m requesting a new ballot because… (insert the appropriate sentence ending from the options below, or use your own words)
I have not received my ballot package
I lost my ballot package
My ballot package is missing the secret ballot envelope
My ballot package is missing the business return envelope
I made a mistake on my ballot
My ballot was damaged
[or use your own words]
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 receiving my ballot soon.”
Voter Support and Resources
Questions about the election or your ballot?
Having trouble getting in touch with MERC?
Curious to learn more about SEIU?
We’re here to help! Complete the form below to get in touch with a union organizer for 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.
