Judge rejects latest push against union for personal care assistants

A federal judge on Wednesday rejected another attempt to block state-subsidized personal care assistants from forming a union.

U.S. District Judge Michael Davis denied a preliminary injunction sought by union opponents, who wanted to prevent the state certification of the Service Employees International Union as the exclusive representative of the providers. The plaintiffs contend the union effort violates their right of free political expression and association.

In his ruling, Davis said the plaintiffs are not required to join SEIU, and there is no infringement on their first amendment rights. Davis previously rejected the opponents' attempt to stop the union vote from taking place. PCAs voted in August to form a union.

The National Right to Work Foundation, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of a group of personal care assistants who oppose the union effort, said it disagreed with the court's ruling.