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Robert and Patricia Haynes discuss the Michigan law that forces them to join a union because they care for their kids with cerebral palsy.
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A power money follow up now last night we told you about a small fan family in a small Michigan town Robert and Patricia Hanes.
Who care for their two adult children that are stricken with cerebral palsy but one piece of legislation in their home state.
Is making it even tougher for them to do their job a forced unionization law classifies Robert -- -- as quote.
Home health care workers and all because they take care of their handicapped kids rather than institutionalized.
As a result the parents are forced to be members of the Service Employees International Union.
That union deducts hundreds of dollars each year from aid meant to help them to care for their son and daughter.
We asked the SCI you to come on or comment today and yesterday so far no response witness now.
Robert and -- -- -- joining us exclusively from their home in a coma.
Michigan.
Mr.
mr.
-- great to see if thank you so much for coming in -- things first you tell us about your kids.
I got 34 months and 31 evolve listed with -- -- several calls me.
They're virtually six month old children as -- what we have to do with them.
OK so it's a full time job taking -- Robert why don't you have nurses -- it is it just an economic reason.
I know we've juggle our jobs and our life and we just stay on the take terrible so you're doing it specifically because you love them a note you know that nobody could give them better care than you.
Well absolutely they do go to a daily workshop saw.
For adults them they are out of the house and in the community and they're taking care of there are also now Patricia when you found out.
That the money you receive an assistance to help you care for your children some of that money was being taken out forcibly from -- and being given to a union.
What did you think.
Why -- I have never worked for union farsighted simply -- I don't want -- union and they -- what you do and I was -- last.
And what would you do Robert with the money that is now being given to a union.
Well are both of our kids around prescriptions.
Would buy their clothing we buy their personal grooming me this.
We do take them with those to different places so the money could definitely be used more so in the house.
To help take care of them.
-- but Patricia the point is is that this is money that you really need this is not.
Wild spending money we're -- about this is money that you could put right back into helping to care for your kids.
-- absolutely I mean and that's that's the whole thing it's taking care of them.
Is there needs its -- I mean they they wheelchairs or entrapment.
It's there needs that that it would be used -- absolutely have you tried to contact a union Patricia that tell them what you guys are taken money.
Almost out of the miles of my kids.
Absolutely mad I ignited while the only time I talk to them with earlier this year when we got to W two.
And it was the first time in years that we got to W two for our ever and I asked a -- them to find out what to do when they just told me.
Call whoever and that's the only time I've talked to -- union.
So you do I I did try to get a response -- go ahead.
Yes I've I've emailed them and also sent registered letters to the head of the June that the union here in.
The Detroit area.
And we've yet to receive a response back from them no response whatsoever.
No none whatsoever we've asked them -- Please explain why we were put into their union what they can do for us what.
Benefits we're getting from -- in part of their union and we would like to -- problems that then we've never received -- response from them.
Well again I just want to emphasize for our viewers Patricia that that you would not only did they take money out that goes automatically.
As union dues taken forcibly from you but.
But you are forced to become a member of the union.
The something that I take it you wouldn't do voluntarily.
Absolutely and that I mean I'm -- in this.
For to have a home care family adhere to take care my children have I -- going to be bringing other people and Robert.
We had -- by union represented about not from the SE -- U yesterday but somebody -- pro union who said.
You folks should be happy because you are getting a little more money in the assistance because.
Of the lobbying that the union has done so they actually said that you should be glad.
To be giving money to the union how would you respond to that Robert.
Now that's the first I've heard of that.
As far as I know they've done nothing for us.
If you -- -- other Patricia it.
I what would you do would you would you.
Take all that money back and and use it for your kids or would -- be under any circumstances.
Something where you would actually give money.
To the union.
-- I would I mean if it was for my kids it was to take care of my children I.
I -- it would be for them I have no desire to be in the union I'm not going to be re having -- home care.
Home provider home and stop it's just because my kids were born the way they work.
Robert are you getting any support.
From anybody in Michigan -- local politicians or somebody.
Yes we get support through Michigan capitol confidential I believe it is Patrick writes.
And -- so Jack Spencer.
Did a exclusive -- a long story.
I'm there I'm their website about about our problem.
And Patricia -- you're now getting emails from from people around the country offering to help or at least giving their -- to your case.
He gets more emails and I -- like ten advocates intends to the -- Would you would you like to give your email address now just so that people could have it and send news supporter not.
Mean now I don't think so when we get a lot of emails OK -- your decent private family this this should not have happened to you wind and we will continue to focus our attention on your case if if anything more develops if if somehow the union contacts you.
Or somehow somebody else is able to -- to break this says stranglehold that the union has and you you let us know please.
Were not the only family this is also affecting hundreds of other families in Michigan as well as us it's extraordinary well in fact our producers will be on the phone you get to get the name of -- some of those other families as well.
We want to bring as much attention of this -- is as we possibly can Robert and Patricia -- thank you so much for being here.
Thank you thank you thanks --
