DETROIT — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed SB 790 and SB 791 into law, restoring the right for many home care workers to come together and form a union, marking a historic victory for the care economy. The legislation focuses on Michigan’s Home Help program which provides supports and services for older adults and disabled people to be able to live and age with dignity in their own homes and communities. This legislation will not only return collective bargaining rights to Michigan’s homecare workers but also strengthen the state’s care infrastructure, ensuring families receive the quality care they need. The Care Can’t Wait Michigan coalition, stands united in recognizing the historic nature of this win.
“Today is a monumental win for Michigan’s homecare workers and the families they serve. With Governor Whitmer’s signature on SB 790 and SB 791, Michigan has become one of the few states to overturn anti-union laws and restore collective bargaining rights to an essential workforce,” said Ai-jen Poo, Executive Director of Caring Across Generations. “Care is the foundation of our society. From the moment we are born, we rely on the care of others. It is not just work, it is a fundamental part of life. This victory paves the way for better wages and stronger care standards, empowering Michigan’s Home Help workers while strengthening our care infrastructure. By restoring these rights, we open the opportunity to attract more people to this vital field, alleviating workforce shortages and ensuring families receive the support and high-quality care they need.”
Echoing this sentiment, Alison Hirschel, Director of the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative, emphasized, “These bills mark a huge move forward for Home Help workers, who provide critical, compassionate, sometimes heroic work. These workers will now be able to vote for collective bargaining, find people who need their support through a registry, and obtain the training they need to do their jobs. As a result, Michiganders who use Home Help will be healthier and more successful as they age in their communities.”
Sherri Boyd, Executive Director of The Arc Michigan, highlighted the broader impact of these bills, noting, “Passing these bills is a crucial first step in the right direction for Michigan’s Direct Care Workers, finally giving them the pay and recognition they deserve.”
Phyllis Pride, a home care worker representative from SEIU reinforced the power of collective action, stating, “This is a moment to celebrate. Today, Governor Whitmer signed two historic bills that usher in a new era of home care in our state.
“When our union was stolen from us 12 years ago, we were devastated. It was a dark time, and our state’s home care system was deeply wounded. I knew the day would come when we would right that wrong, but I never expected to be around for it. Yet here we are!
“I am so grateful to Governor Whitmer, Senators Hertel and Santana, House Speaker Tate, our legislative care champions, and our community allies for fighting alongside us to improve the lives of all Michiganders”
With the passage of these bills, Michigan is leading the way in transforming the care economy. By giving home care workers the freedom to choose to form a union, workers can advocate for better wages, working conditions, and protections, resulting in a more stable workforce ready to meet the increasing demands for home and community-based services. These bills bring us closer to a future where care workers are recognized for their vital roles, and every person, regardless of age or ability, has the support they need to live with dignity.
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Care Can’t Wait Michigan is a coalition of aging, disability, family caregiver, and worker advocates uniting to create a Michigan in which all Michiganders have access to quality, affordable, and accessible care at every stage of life including aging and disability care, paid leave, and child care. We advocate to build a care infrastructure for Michigan to ensure that disabled people and older adults have the resources to access care in the way they choose, family caregivers have the support they need, and care workers are paid family-sustaining wages and benefits.