Over the past several months, thousands of Vermont homecare workers have made the decision to unite with 1199SEIU. On June 25, they turned in their cards and filed a formal petition for an election with the Vermont Labor Relations Board (VLRB) in Montpelier.

"We are thrilled to join thousands of homecare workers from across Vermont and across the nation in joining the nation's largest homecare union, 1199SEIU," said Danielle Warner of Plainfield, a homecare worker of nearly 10 years. "1199SEIU is the only union with a proven track record of success - and that's why it's the right choice for us."

Vermont homecare workers were joined by other SEIU homecare workers from New England and across the country to celebrate the historic moment at the VLRB.

"It's inspiring to see Vermont homecare workers coming together to join our wonderful union," said Christine Donnellan, who traveled from Concord, California, to welcome the Vermont workers to the union. "I remember just a few years ago when we were organizing our own union with SEIU. We united as homecare workers and came up with a plan to improve funding for our homecare programs. And now we have higher wages, health care coverage I can afford and even paid time off. And now homecare workers in Vermont can do the same thing."

Vermont homecare workers also paid tribute to Senate Pro Tem John Campbell for his commitment improving the lives of homecare workers and those who rely on home- and community-based services.

Improving funding for homecare programs in Vermont is a priority for 1199SEIU. SEIU has a proven track record of working with the disability community to secure and improve funding for homecare programs in states across the nation. AFSCME has often been on the wrong side of this fight.

"Voting for 1199SEIU is an easy choice for me," said Karen Topper, State Coordinator of Green Mountain Self Advocates, one of Vermont's leading disability rights organizations. "As a homecare worker myself, I know that when it comes to disability rights, we need to have a partner who understands how important this is for our clients and our communities. SEIU has been a long-time ally of people with disabilities. AFSCME has consistently missed the mark when it comes to understanding what we really need and as homecare workers, we know our clients deserve better."

"SEIU has successfully represented 40,000 homecare workers across New England - where AFSCME has failed the one and only time they represented homecare workers in New England," said Julia Richards, a homecare worker from St. Albans. "AFSCME organized 150 workers at Pathways and they quit the union just a year later because they just didn't understand how to represent them. How can we trust them to represent 7,000 of us across the state? A Boston-based prison guard union just isn't the right choice for Vermont homecare workers."