Stop the Michigan Union Dues Skim

A new law has resurrected an old union dues skim that targets Michigan’s most vulnerable citizens. The law classifies home health caregivers—who receive federal and state aid to care for sick or disabled loved ones—as public employees.

In response, the SEIU attempted to constitutionalize the dues skim through Proposal 4 on the November 2012 ballot. No newspaper endorsed it, and voters soundly rejected it 56% to 44%. Contrary to the scare tactics used at the time, ending mandatory unionization did not reduce caregiver funding. In fact, the program’s budget doubled from $300 million to $600 million over the following decade.

Despite voters’ rejection, the SEIU persisted. In 2024, leveraging a Democrat-controlled Legislature and Governor, the union was able to exhume the dues skim, which is set to take effect on April 1, 2025.

However, home health caregivers can protect the financial assistance meant for their loved ones from being siphoned into the union’s coffers. They can opt out of the union by exercising their Janus rights. Learn more about how to opt out at www.MyPayMySay.com/MI.