“GREEN WAVE” ROLLS TO STATE
CAPITOL TO PROTEST IHSS CUTS

Hundreds of UDW members from as far away as Riverside and Orange Counties rallied at the State Capitol in Sacramento on April 1 to demand that legislators rescind significant cuts in the In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program slated to take effect on July 1.

The cuts were triggered by last month's announcement that the state will not receive enough federal stimulus funds to put at least $10 billion in the state's general fund. The state's share of cost contribution for new IHSS recipients will be eliminated; these individuals will be forced to pay average of $427 a month more for home care. In addition, home care providers in 23 California counties—including Placer, Riverside, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo --will see their wages reduced (See details below).

“This fight is not over,” UDW President Laura Reyes said. “Our message to the legislators is that they have from now until July 1 to do the right thing and rescind the cuts to IHSS. It is shameful that many of our so-called ‘friends' in the Legislature, including the leadership, voted to cut IHSS. But they still have time to correct their mistake.”

The rally, held in conjunction with an Assembly budget hearing, was organized by the statewide IHSS Coalition.

In a hearing room packed with UDW members, Executive Director Doug Moore blasted legislators for turning IHSS into a “political football”.

“You need to think about the moral ground you stood on when you voted for these cuts,” Moore said. “Can you really look at yourself in the mirror and say: ‘I did the right thing by voting for cuts in IHSS'? Can you look us in the eye and say: ‘I did what's right for you'? If you can, you do not belong in the legislature.

“You have a moral responsibility as an elected official to help those who are the most vulnerable in our society. Use it wisely. Have the moral courage to do the right thing and reconsider your cuts to IHSS.”

Outside the Capitol, surrounded by a sea of green shirts, providers, clients and others denounced the cuts and demanded they be rescinded.

“I did not come here to talk about money, or numbers, or budgets,” said UDW member Blanca Quintero of Riverside County, one of the speakers at the rally. “I came because I want you to know that home care providers and the people they care for matter.”

Pointing to the State Capitol, she said: “We ask our leaders in this building: ‘Would you force your mother or father into a nursing home? Would you deprive your husband and wife of needed care? Would you break your promise to your family like you've done to nearly a half million IHSS consumers and the people who care for them?'

“We expect our leaders to do better,” Ms. Quintero concluded. “We urge them to restore the cuts to the IHSS program. And we demand that they respect and support California's most vulnerable people and those who care for them.”

THE PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Read President's Bio

We have just completed UDW's Constitutional Convention in Costa Mesa, where we made some needed changes to the language in our constitution. But the most important thing about this convention was what DIDN'T happen. There was no confrontation, no conflict, no controversy.

Unlike recent conventions, UDW was there to conduct union business. No more fights with NUCCHE. No more Administratorship. No more turf battles or jurisdictional disputes. Just delegates and officers working together to help our members and grow our union.

Want another example of what's new at UDW? Check out our new logo at the top of this newsletter, which was just approved by the convention delegates.

The old logo—particularly the dove--was symbolic of the remarkable history of UDW. But the new logo, we believe, better represents the image we want to convey to our members and the public.

We want people to know that we represent homecare providers, not maids, chauffeurs or other domestic workers. We want them to know that we are THE homecare providers union…the only union in California that represents just homecare providers. And we want them to remember who we are…UDW.

Of course it will take more than just a new logo…or a peaceful convention…for us to succeed. We are in a bitter struggle to reverse IHSS cuts at the state level (see stories listed above). We remain at impasse in our contract negotiations in San Diego County and El Dorado Counties and our contracts in eight other counties are up for renewal this year.

But there is a new spirit and new resolve in our union. We are standing up to Boards of Supervisors. We are recruiting allies in labor, community and business organizations to assist us in our struggle. We are seeking new ways for state government to fund IHSS to keep the program strong and effective. We are demanding that home care be treated the same as nursing home care during budget negotiations. And we are putting legislators on notice that if they expect support from us, we will expect action, not just lip service, from them.

Yes, brothers and sisters, this is a new day for UDW. Be proud.

In Solidarity,
Laura M. Reyes, President

Report from the Secretary-Treasurer to the UDW Membership

Read Secretary Treasurer's Bio

We are very proud of the current financial situation of UDW.

When this union went into Administratorship in 2005, UDW was $3,000,000 in debt. We were spending a very large portion of your union dues to service that debt, not to build UDW. Today, UDW no longer has a deficit. We are now using our financial resources to fight for you and build your union, not to service debt. We are purchasing assets such as offices and equipment whenever possible rather than paying to lease or rent.

For example, we:

• just opened our first ever office in Placer County ;
• purchased our new office in Desert Hot Springs;
• will pay off the mortgage on the Orange County office next month;
• will soon be purchasing office space in SLO.

We are increasing the number of staff we have in local offices to help us organize and bargain more effectively and serve our members. We are increasing the size of our political department so UDW can be more effective politically in our counties and at the state capitol.

In other words, we are using the income from your dues to make your union strong so it can fight for your rights and wages.

In solidarity,

Lien Tuong Rose Nguyen, Secretary-Treasurer
Gary Voice, Chief Accountant

LIABILITIES & EQUITY

INCOME

Dues

10,522,370.43

Grant Income

40,375.92

Other Revenue

85,495.35

TOTAL INCOME

10,648,241.70

EXPENSE

Payments to Affiliates

196,015.35

Grants/Allocations/Contributions

244,986.50

Personnel Expenses

3,956,198.94

Professional Fees

320,678.16

Office Expenses

1,966,111.81

Travel

875,273.49

UDWA Conf, Convention, Meetings

234,188.71

Interest Expense

30,916.30

Depreciation/Depletion

138,831.67

Other Expenses

306,884.55

TOTAL EXPENSE

8,270 ,085.48

Scores of UDW members and staff from across the state met in Pomona in January to learn how to succeed in the upcoming contract bargaining campaigns in eight counties.

"In 2009, we will need to coordinate our efforts throughout the state to share and develop ideas that can be used to generate increased member activism, education and growth,” said UDW Lead Negotiator Willas DeMorst. “This effort will strengthen our bargaining campaigns and also increase public and taxpayer education about the IHSS program, which is such a large part of the negotiation and political process."

During three intensive days of training, participants were taught strategies to secure strong contracts, increase the ability to organize, and work collaboratively with other unions and coalitions.

See more pictures and news from the Bargaining Conference

WE NEED YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS

The fastest and cheapest way for us to contact our members is through e-mail. Please provide us with your current e-mail address.

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When you sign up, the UDW E-Activist Network will notify you about:

• Events in your local community (like negotiations and meetings)
• Actions at the statewide level (like legislation that improves funding for IHSS or reduces it)
• Ways to contact the decision makers who affect wages and support for IHSS providers and their clients so that you can EASILY participate and let them know your views.
• New features or updates on your UDW web site.

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