President’s Report, Spring 2016

It has been an exciting few months for UDW caregivers. Our eligibility for overtime, travel time, and medical wait time began on February 1^st, and provided many home care workers with a much needed increase in their wages. And after years of rallying, marching, and telling our stories alongside other underpaid workers in the Fight for $15, lawmakers finally passed a minimum wage increase in April. The new law will increase the minimum wage to $15 by 2022, and provide IHSS workers with three paid sick days!

We should celebrate all of our victories as we continue our work to win justice. And our latest fight, justice for parent and spouse providers, is a big one. Right now, IHSS providers who provide care for their spouse or child are ineligible for Social Security, Medicare, paid family leave, and unemployment insurance. We are currently working at both the state and federal level to right this terrible wrong.

Finally, remember that starting May 1^st, IHSS providers who submit incorrect timesheets will receive program violations. Find out how to avoid violations by visiting: www.udw.org/timesheets.

UDW President Official Acts, February 2016 – April 2016

Meetings

UDW Membership Meetings

I attended UDW membership meetings throughout the state, where I provided updates and thanked fellow UDW members for their work in our recent fights to end the 7% cut for good and implement a $15 minimum wage in California.

• Riverside County Membership meeting, March 4^th
• San Luis Obispo County Membership meeting, March 30^th
• Stanislaus County Membership meeting, April 14^th

UDW Member Withdrawal Committee meeting, February 12^th

The committee approved our new rules, which were presented to the Executive Board on March 7^th.

UDW Executive Board meeting, March 7^th

We heard updates from staff and board members, as well as political and legislative updates. We also discussed our parent union AFSCME’s upcoming convention.

UDW Executive Board candidate endorsement meeting, March 28^th

The UDW Executive Board met to discuss the candidates our union may endorse in county and state-level political races.

Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) meeting, April 10^th

During this meeting, I was appointed 1^st Vice President. APALA is an organization of Asian American and Pacific Islander workers and allies. We work toward worker and immigrant justice.

UDW Executive Board candidate endorsement meeting, April 12^th

The Executive Board met again to talk about additional candidates seeking UDW’s endorsement in political races throughout the state.

Statewide Bargaining with San Diego and Riverside Counties, April 13^th and 14^th

UDW members from San Diego and Riverside are negotiating together with the state. Together, we are stronger and have a better opportunity to win wage and benefit improvements for IHSS providers and our families. Our next meeting will be held on May 10^th.

Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) meeting, April 16^th

We updated our policies and procedures, and reviewed the APALA laws and constitution. We also continued planning our May APALA event.

California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) meeting, April 19^th

During the meeting, we prepared for our annual convention, which is expected to be attended by 100 people. The convention will be held on September 20^th at 10am. All union members are welcome.

Events and Actions

UDW Lobby Day at the Capitol, March 14^th

I spoke to the members before we began lobbying. Later that day we spoke to lawmakers about issues and legislation that impacts IHSS providers, including our work to secure Social Security and other benefits for spouse and parent providers.

San Diego Democratic Party: The 36th Annual Roosevelt Dinner, April 2^nd

UDW was a sponsor of the event, and several APALA members attended with me. Lawmakers, leaders, and community members were honored, as we kicked off the election season.

San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council Annual Awards in Excellence Dinner, April 16^th

I attended the dinner at the San Diego Zoo, where UDW organizer Sandra Castillo was honored as Organizer of the Year.