President’s Report

Laura Reyes, President, UDW Homecare Providers Union

Laura Reyes, UDW President

Unity is our Key to Success in 2012

“For united we stand, divided we fall
And if our backs should ever be against the wall
We’ll be together…”

These lyrics from a popular hit song from the 1970’s have real meaning for us today as well. UDW faces unprecedented challenges in our counties, in California, and all across the nation in 2012. I’m convinced that together, we can meet those challenges and take advantage of the opportunities they bring.

For one thing, the IHSS program is at a crossroads this year. Gov. Brown has proposed making significant changes in the program. We have two choices: Either we can work together to make sure those changes benefit our members and the people we serve, or we can sit back and get run over by them. We can lead or we can follow.

UDW has been a leader for more than 30 years. We’re not about to stop now. At our successful UDW Convention in Costa Mesa in January, we made a commitment to fight for real reform in IHSS. In the coming weeks, we will be working hard to educate our members and clients about these needed changes and to encourage our legislators to bring about reform in IHSS. Once again we must stand together and be prepared to fight!

While working toward reforming IHSS, we also have to continue our fight against proposed cuts to the current program. At the state level, Gov. Brown has proposed severe cuts in domestic and related services that will affect more than a quarter million IHSS recipients and providers. And of course we’re still fighting in court against the 20 percent “trigger cut” to IHSS passed last year. In our counties, we’ll need to push back to maintain our wages and benefits against attempts to cut them.

Again, we need your help.

We are also part of a larger struggle all across the country against those who are trying to eliminate the rights of working men and women. At the recent PEOPLE Conference in Sacramento, AFSCME International Secretary/Treasurer Lee Saunders spoke passionately about how labor is standing up to these attacks in places like Wisconsin, Ohio, New Jersey, and other states. Brother Saunders made it very clear, this is our fight too. As the saying goes: “An injury to one is an injury to all.”

In late June, UDW and other AFSCME locals will be hosting the 2012 AFSCME International Convention in Los Angeles. Given the retirement of International President Gerald McEntee, this convention will help determine the course of our parent union-and UDW-for years to come.

Finally, of course, there is an election coming up in November. I cannot remember a time when the stakes have been higher or the choices clearer. From Placer and El Dorado to Orange and San Diego, we must work together to support labor-friendly candidates at all levels of government, from the White House to the Board of Supervisors.