June 2008, Electronic Version

Contents:

The President's Report DEVASTATING cuts to the IHSS program – What you can do Community Townhall meetings	The Secretary-Treasurer's Report UDW Financial Operating Statement Direct Deposit for Providers
Do you know if you are a UDW member? Paying dues does not make you a Member -- you need to sign a membership card -- it does not cost you any more, but gives you many more benefits.

THE PRESIDENT'S REPORT

As your President, I sincerely believe in the new philosophy of keeping members fully informed of the Union 's activities and financial health. The UDW belongs to its members. Your dues support the operations of our Union from the local staff who support your needs to this newsletter. In addition to my report you will find a financial report from our Secretary-Treasurer, Chris Long.

It has been a long road since the election in August 2007 and the new Statewide Officers and Executive Board - comprised of working home care providers - were officially installed in February 2008. Eager to get to work, we have had three board meetings in addition to “Board Trainings” to assure that we all represent our 58,000 bargaining unit members in the best way possible.

As President, I swore in the Local Executive Boards of El Dorado, Orange , Riverside Addus, Riverside , Santa Barbara Addus, Santa Barbara and spent time meeting and listening to members of those bargaining units. I am pleased to report that I have spoken for and to many of our members at the San Diego negotiations rallies and membership meetings throughout the state. I attended the PEOPLE conference in Sacramento – PEOPLE is dear to my heart because it provides vital funding to ensure that UDW can improve the lives of home care providers through legislation and in the state budget.

Our Union is healthy with union membership at an all time high, local offices in 9 of our 11 counties, PEOPLE enrollment twice as high as last year, new member meetings, and an all time high of member involvement as volunteers, attending rallies, and speaking to politicians.

My biggest concern has been fighting the devastating cuts in the 2008 -09 California budget aimed at not only provider wages but client services as well. I have represented UDW and its members and clients by testifying before the Assembly Budget Committee against the proposed IHSS budget cuts and the Sacramento IHSS Coalition Rally in late February. I have also visited with state Assembly Members and Senators urging them to vote against these budget cuts.

It has been a very busy three months learning my new role; however, there is one thing I do not have to learn. I am a home care provider just like you. I have been providing for my son for over 17 years and I understand the love and caring and the needs to be provided. I know the struggles we face with low wages, limited funds for health care and little respect for the work we do and often for those for whom we care. Well, I respect you and your clients and it is my oath to you that I will carry your message to all the people in California and in Washington , DC who make the decision regarding IHSS. The members of UDW are a force to be reckoned with and we will win.

In solidarity,
Laura M. Reyes, President

THE SECRETARY-TREASURER'S REPORT

Report from the Secretary-Treasurer to the UDW Membership:

We are pleased to provide the first ever openly published operating statements of the UDW, and the first after our Administratorship has been lifted. These reports are for the quarter ending March 31, 2008.

The UDW has a net asset value (Total Equity) of $2,129,737 vs. the $2,152,302 net asset deficit we had as of May 31, 2005.

Management is committed to staying on budget, and revenues have exceeded expenses this quarter by $485,621. This additional reserve will help provide for a secure future as we face the daunting task of fighting for equitable wages and benefits for our members .

If any member would like to discuss financial issues or your care providing experience with your Secretary-Treasurer, call 951/367-4729.

Chris Long, Secretary-Treasurer

Gary Voice, Chief Accountant

UNITED DOMESTIC WORKERS OF AMERICA
BALANCE SHEET
As of March 31, 2008

UNITED DOMESTIC WORKERS OF AMERICA
STATEMENT OF REVENUES AND EXPENSES
January through March 2008 

Direct deposit for providers

Direct deposit for IHSS providers is finally a reality as over 93,000 providers have signed up. Although most Californians have had direct deposit since the 1980's it was just a dream for home care providers, until the UDW took the lead on this issue and pushed the legislature, the State Controllers' Office, and the California Department of Social Services to make it a reality. Lost and stolen paychecks will be a thing of the past and funds will be available to you quicker.

The criteria for direct deposit are: have worked for IHSS for 90 days, have a bank or savings account, and must receive paychecks a minimum of twice a month.

For each client you work direct deposit must be set up separately. Forms are available at the State's website http://www.cdss.ca.gov/agedblinddisabled under “CMIPS” tab. For more information call the Provider Direct Deposit Help Desk toll free at 866/376-7066, your local UDW office, visit this website at www.udwa.org/ddeposit.htm, or the UDW Member Communication Center toll free at 800/621-5016.

GOVERNOR PROPOSES DEVASTATING BUDGET CUTS AIMED AT PROVIDERS AND CLIENTS

Governor Schwarzenegger has proposed in his 2008 – 2009 state budget devastating cuts to the IHSS program which affects both clients and providers. These are proposed cuts that must be approved by the California legislature. If approved, these measures will go into effect October 1, 2008. Here are the proposed cuts:

CUTS TO CLIENTS

•  Permanently eliminate certain domestic and related services (shopping, cleaning, cooking, laundry, etc.) for IHSS consumers with functional index ranks below 4*.

•  Make over 7,000 consumers with functional index scores below 4* pay an increased monthly share of costs – averaging $427 – out of their own pocket. If the consumer is unable to pay, they could lose their services.

* The functional index score provides a measure of the consumer's independence and need to have human assistance for performance of IHSS tasks. This information is only available to the client or their legal representative through the social worker or their supervisor. Scores are assessed per each individual task (meal preparation, laundry, etc.) not by the client's ability as a whole.

CUTS TO PROVIDERS

•  By eliminating the state participation in the IHSS program all providers wages would be set at the state minimum wage of $8.00 per hour regardless of the gains the UDW has made in negotiations which is as high as $11.00 per hour in some counties. (This does not affect Addus providers.)

WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT?

At the end of May, Union President Laura Reyes and 120 UDW members went to Sacramento where many spoke before the budget committees and rallied. Our Political Director has spent a lot of time talking to the legislature since February. Both of the committees voted to REJECT the governor's proposals to make these cuts. This is a big victory for IHSS providers and their clients – this victory is one step in the process - SO OUR FIGHT MUST CONTINUE .

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT NOW?

Get involved and speak for not only your client but yourself! You can do as little as write or e-mail your California State Senator or Assembly Member. Have your client, friends and relatives write also.

• If you have access to the internet, go to the UDW website, www.udwa.org , to the front page “ACTION ALERT,” scroll down until you see “HOW YOU CAN HELP” and find “ write your legislators with a click of your mouse” . Write or e-mail the governor, your senator and assembly member that you oppose these cuts. If you do not have access to the internet, call your local UDW office for assistance.
• Call your federal, state and local representatives - on the web, go to www.statelocalgov.net for telephone numbers or call your local UDW office for more information.
• Write to your local newspaper
• Come to Sacramento for the next action – information will be posted on the UDW website or call your local UDW office.
• Attend a community forum in your area. The UDW is part of the Quality Homecare Coalition which consists of organizations reprsenting providers and people in the senior and disability communities. This year the coalition is providing Quality Home Care Forums throughout the state to inform constiuents and politicians about the facts of these dangerous cuts to IHSS and cuts to other programs serving not only seniors and disabled but also to children at risk. Forums have been held in Butte County , San Luis Obispo , Santa Barbara , and Merced . Upcoming forums:

SAN DIEGO COUNTY Metro Center
Friday, June 20 3910; 5:30 – 7:30 PM
University Avenue
San Diego 92105

Encinitas Community Center
Wednesday, June 25; 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
1140 Oakcrest Park Drive
Encinitas 92024

ORANGE COUNTY Dayle McIntosh Center
Wednesday, June 25 ; 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
13272 Garden Grove Blvd.
Garden Grove 92843

KERN COUNTY St. Luke's Anglican Church
Friday, june 27; 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
2730 Mall View Road
Bakersfield 93306

Check this website or call your local office for upcoming dates for the following areas: Anaheim, Orange County; Placer County; Stanislaus County; and Riverside County.