Any truth to SEIU Medicaid funds skimming?

[CaféAuLait]

SEIU Healthcare Michigan, a branch of the powerful Service Employees International Union, saw its membership drop from more than 55,000 in 2012, to just under 11,000 in 2013, according to Labor Department data. The decline happened the same year Republican Gov. Rick Snyder signed the right to work law.

Federal data shows that a majority of those funds in 2012 went to spending on union political activities and lobbying, not collective bargaining. The union was fined more than $200,000 in March by the state for violating campaign finance laws 2012, the second-largest in state history

“Family members were told they were public employees,” Patrick Wright, director of the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation, a Michigan-based policy group, told FoxNews.com. "They are not public employees and this was not proper.

“It was an underhanded scheme to get these people in [the union],” he added.

The measure, which counted the home healthcare recipient as an employer and the caregiver as an employee, was adopted during the administration of Demcratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm, but abolished by Republicans including current Gov. Rick Snyder, who was elected in 2012. His election coincided with the state's vote to end forced unionization by approving a right-to-work ballot measure. Snyder subsequently signed a bill that ended the SEIU's due collection scheme.

Michigan union loses 80 percent of members in one year | WashingtonExaminer.com

SEIU membership, revenues plummet after state ends 'underhanded scheme' | Fox News

SEIU membership, revenues plummet after state ends 'underhanded scheme' | NEWS.GNOM.ES

SEIU reply:

The purpose of this paper is to tell the story of how home care workers in Michigan won the legal rights and benefits of representation by the SEIU and how right wing forces stripped these dedicated caregivers of their ability to have collective bargaining with the Union of their choice as their exclusive representative. This story underscores why the Executive Board of SEIU HCMI believes it is right and just and necessary to waive minimum dues and establish a fair fixed dues structure which empowers home care workers to maintain continuing membership in our Union.

http://www.seiuhealthcaremi.org/files/2013/05/Memo-re-home-care-workers-4-2.pdf

Is it true they were skimming money from Medicaid at 30 dollars a month for those family members caring for loved ones as a home heath aid? Or were they only charging those who were actually working for a pay check through a company?

 

[S.J.]

I wouldn't want to say they are guilty without first seeing the evidence, but given their track record of extortion and thuggery, I would say the odds are pretty good that they're guilty as shit. Know what I mean?

 

[R.D.]

Yes.

Confirmed: The SEIU 'Dues Skim' Finally Ends [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
Legal Foundation Seeks End to Forced Unionization of Home-Based Caregivers [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
SEIU Extends Home Health Care Contract On Day Governor Signs Bill Making 'Dues Skim' Illegal [Michigan Capitol Confidential]