For Immediate Release
Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Contact: UDW Homecare Providers Union
800 621-5016

SAN DIEGO HOMECARE PROVIDER  TELLS STATE LEGISLATORS ABOUT THREATS, “HUMILIATING” QUESTIONING DURING IHSS “ANTI-FRAUD” HOME INVESTIGATION; COMMITTEE CHAIR PROMISES TO INVESTIGATE UNWARRANTED HOME VISIT

For Immediate Release
January 8, 2010

Contact:
IHSS Coalition

Advocates Urge the Legislature: Stand up to Governor. Don't put Californians at Risk; Don't eliminate 375,000 Jobs

SACRAMENTO - Representatives of more than 450,000 seniors and people with disabilities and those who care for them today urged the State Legislature to fight Gov. Schwarzenegger's mean-spirited and hypocritical proposal to destroy the In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program.

In his 2010-2011 spending plan released today, the governor proposes to effectively dismantle IHSS, a nationally recognized program which helps 450,000 low-income disabled, senior and blind Californians stay safely at home and avoid unnecessary, expensive and unwanted institutionalization.

The elimination of IHSS would cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars to provide care for thousands of Californian IHSS consumers forced into hospitals and nursing homes, which cost at least five times more than home care. Worse, many will likely not be able to find such placement and end up without the assistance they need to live safely at home.

In addition, despite his call for "jobs, jobs, jobs," in his State of the State address earlier this week, the Governor's proposal would eliminate more than 375,000 home care jobs, raising California's unemployment rate to more than 14 percent and force some home care workers to turn to public benefit programs for food for their children.

The Governor's 2010-2011 spending plan goes further than last year's budget proposal, which proposed throwing more than 400,000 elderly, blind and disabled Californians--90 percent of all IHSS recipients--out of the program. While the Legislature firmly rejected that plan, it did vote in July to eliminate or drastically reduce services for more than 100,000 IHSS recipients.

In the July budget vote, 20 Democratic State Senators and 45 Democratic Assembly Members voted for the IHSS cuts. In addition, 10 Democratic Senators and 12 Democratic Assembly voted to endorse the Governor's multi-million-dollar campaign to demonize home care workers and consumers by alleging widespread fraud in IHSS, despite the absence of any proof that widespread fraud exists in the program.

IHSS supporters today vowed to fight the Governor's budget cut proposals in the legislature, where legislators from both parties have recognized the need to help the elderly and disabled live independently in our communities .

The 1999 U.S. Supreme Court Olmstead decision affirmed the responsibility of states to ensure that people with disabilities, including seniors and children receive care in the most integrated setting.

This governor acknowledges that IHSS keeps people out of more costly and less desirable out-of-home placement in nursing homes or other institutions but seeks to destroy it anyway.

###

“The seniors I represent paid taxes their whole lives, believing that when they needed help they would have it. Even a small amount of IHSS can keep them safely at home; now the Governor is breaking their trust. It is time for all legislators, especially Democratic lawmakers, to be held accountable. They must turn down the Governor's mean-spirited and hypocritical proposal”, said Gary Passmore of the Congress of California Seniors.

"Last year, legislators were given a "take-it-or-leave-it" budget dictated by Senate and Assembly leaders and the Governor. This year's budget must be debated and decided in a process which allows all members of the Legislature, as well as key stakeholders and policy experts, to observe and participate”, said John Wilkins, an IHSS consumer in Fresno County .

This lame-duck Governor complains that we have no choice but to cut programs like IHSS. Yet he refuses to even consider ending tax breaks for wealthy corporations or finding other ways to help raise revenues to solve the current budget crisis”, said Doug Moore, Executive Director of UDW, the homecare providers union. 

"Previous cuts in IHSS have been stopped by courts because they violate provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws. Yet Schwarzenegger wants to ignore the law and push ahead with even more cuts”, said Laura Williams, President of Californians for Disability Rights, Inc., a statewide membership advocacy organization.

"The Governor says he wants to create jobs, but devastating cuts to the social safety net will kill jobs and dim recovery prospects for tens of thousands of California families,” said Hugh Hallenberg, from Los Angeles County , an advocate for seniors and people with disabilities. “The Governor's threatened elimination of the In-Home Supportive Services program will put 375,000 people out of work instantly and increase California 's unemployment rate.”

"The Governor gives lip-service to policies like health care for the uninsured, but then turns around and strips funding for home care programs, forcing the elderly and people with disabilities into institutional care," said Deborah Doctor of Disability Rights California.

"IHSS is my independence," said Lauren Steinberg , an IHSS consumer in Berkeley . "My IHSS provider helps me with daily tasks that most people take for granted. It enables me to go to work every day and pay taxes. This Governor's proposal takes away two jobs: my home care worker's and my own. I'll have to go back on benefits; everybody loses.

"It seems that the Governor doesn't realize that if you cut essential services such as these, the need doesn't dry up," said Donna Calame, Executive Director of the San Francisco IHSS Public Authority. "The Schwarzenegger administration has never presented a realistic portrayal of the outcomes of these cuts; that, in fact, we are abandoning people to quiet lives of desperation. The ‘lucky' ones will find a place in a nursing homes or go to emergency rooms at a higher cost to taxpayers."

“I'm a senior citizen and veteran and, yes, I'm disabled. However I'm able to live independently at home because of home care, but enough is enough. I'm tired of hearing our state leaders say ‘every program budget cut is on the table.' Why is an efficient program that I rely upon still on the table when it's been proven repeatedly to be among the most cost-effective in the country?” said Herb Meyer, a Korean War veteran, senior and IHSS consumer from Marin County . “The public wants a fair and balanced budget, and that means protecting programs that give taxpayers the most bang for their buck.”

“While we recognize the dire fiscal situation of the California state budget, it is inexcusable for the Governor to sacrifice the health and welfare of seniors and people with disabilities and their caregivers with these devastating budget cut proposals,” said Mary Tinker with the California Association of Public Authorities.

“The public knows a lot about IHSS and supports it by overwhelming majorities in every survey ever conducted. And why wouldn't they? It's both more humane and more cost-efficient than the alternatives” said Frances Gracechild, Executive Director of Resource for Independent Living.

# # #

For Immediate Release
Thursday, December 10, 2009

Contact: AFSCME NEWS
Korey Hartwick
202-429-1145

An Important Step for Seniors and
Individuals With Disabilities

AFSCME Declares Support for
Community First Choice Option in Health Reform

For Immediate Release
Monday, November 9, 2009

Contact: United Domestic Workers
800-621-5016

COUNTY SUPERVISORS BLASTED FOR SPREADING
“LIES AND MISINFORMATION" ABOUT HOMECARE RECIPIENTS AND PROVIDERS

For Immediate Release
Monday, October 19, 2009

Contact: United Domestic Workers
800-621-5016

Judge Halts IHSS Home Care Cuts; Says They
Likely Violate Federal Law

For Immediate Release
Monday, October 19, 2009

Disability Rights, California
Dara Schur, Disability Rights California , 520.267.1200
Melinda Bird, Disability Rights California, 916.397.5459
Stacey Leyton, Altshuler Berzon LLP, 415.421.7151
Paula Pearlman, Disability Rights Legal Center, 213.736.1031

Judge Halts Home Care Cuts: Says approach would likely violate federal law and cause “incredible human suffering” to seniors and people with disabilities who need these services

For Release
Sunday, October 18, 2009

Contact: United Domestic Workers
800-621-5016

Homecare Providers to Rally against
Cuts in IHSS Program;
Hearing on Lawsuit in Oakland
Federal Court Monday

For Immediate Release
July 23, 2009

Contact: United Domestic Workers
800-621-5016

# # #

For Immediate Release
May 29, 2009

Contact: United Domestic Workers
800-621-5016

SCHWARZENNEGER WANTS TO ELIMINATE HOME CARE FOR 400,000 ELDERLY,
BLIND AND DISABLED CALIFORNIANS

"Outrageous" Proposal Would All But Destroy the IHSS Program

SACRAMENTO (May 29) -- Gov. Schwarzengger today proposed catastrophic cuts in the In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program that would all but destroy the program, which provides home care for more than 420,000 low-income elderly, blind and disabled Californians.

Under the latest Schwarzenegger plan, some 380,000 individuals--nearly 90 percent of all IHSS consumers--would be thrown out of the program. This comes on top of an earlier proposal from the governor that would cut the pay for the state's home care providers back to minimum wage.

"While the governor's earlier proposals were foolish and shortsighted, his latest scheme is outrageous, vindictive and unconscionable," said Doug Moore, Executive Director of the 65,000 member UDW Homecare Providers Union.

"IHSS saves taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars each year by keeping some of our most vulnerable citizens out of nursing homes, which cost at least six to eight times more than home care," Moore said. "It also brings millions in federal revenue to the state. Yet the governor would gut this cost-effective program, while continuing to fully fund more expensive nursing homes.

"We believe that all Californians should do their share to help the state through its financial problems. But Schwarzenegger and his Republican allies would put all of the burden on low-income, working Californians. They won't call on businesses to give up some of their tax breaks. They won't ask the oil companies to do their part by taxing the oil produced here in California , just like every other state in the union already does.

"It is time for the leaders of our state legislature to really lead. It is time for them to stand up to the governor and the Republicans and say 'enough'. It is time for realistic, common-sense solutions to our budget crisis that call on everyone to contribute."

UDW Homecare Providers Union represents more than 65,000 providers in 11 California counties. It is the only union in California made up solely of homecare workers.

# # #

For Immediate Release
April 1, 2009
For Planning Purposes Only

CAPITOL RALLY TO DEMAND LEGISLATORS RESTORE CRITICAL HOME SUPPORT FOR
ELDERLY & PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

SACRAMENTO, CA - In a rally outside the State Capitol, seniors and Californians with disabilities, joined by the home care workers who enable them to live safely in their homes, will demand that legislators immediately restore $78 million in cuts to In-Home Supportive Services which were triggered by lower than expected federal stimulus revenues. 

Advocates will say that legislators must keep their promise to protect very poor seniors and people with disabilities by putting the IHSS program back on track. The recent cuts eliminate important home care services and slash wages for home care workers, which could destabilize care for vulnerable Californians.   The In-Home Supportive Services program helps low-income seniors and people with disabilities keep their independence and remain living at home, rather than in much more costly nursing facilities. 

WHO: Seniors, people with disabilities, home care workers  

WHAT: Demand that the Legislature protect seniors and people with disabilities by restoring cuts to the In-Home Supportive Services program. 

WHEN: Wednesday, April 1, 2009 , 11am

WHERE:  State Capitol, West Steps, Sacramento    

# # #

For Immediate Release
January 15, 2009
Sacramento

STEINBERG RESPONSE TO GOVERNOR'S
STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

(SACRAMENTO)-  Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) delivered the following remarks at a press conference today in response to the Governor's State of the State Address:
 
We stand here together on behalf of our respective houses to tell Californians that we are working hard to find common ground with Republicans and the Governor on a budget solution.
 
We all understand what is at stake: California will run out of money if we fail to act. Tax refunds delayed. Job creating construction postponed.
 
There is nothing easy about making up a $41 billion shortfall in our state budget.
 
We have children to teach. Roads to build. Natural resources to protect. Seniors to care for.
 
But we don't have the money to do everything this year, thanks to a national and international economic crisis that some say is the worst since the Great Depression. In bad economic times many Californians know what it means, in fact, to cut back.
 
State Government must do the same, but in a way that does the least damage to public education, to the environment, to the economy and to those most vulnerable protected by our social safety net.
 
We have to and we will, throw out the harsh rhetoric in times like these.
 
It's no time for finger-pointing – Californians want and deserve more from us.  They expect us to work together to fix the problem and that's exactly what we are in the midst of doing.
 
To the extent that we have real differences with our Republican colleagues or the Governor, there will be policy differences and we will work them out the best we can.  We have no choice.
 
Like the Speaker, I am still extremely proud that the majority party sent the Governor an $18 billion deficit reduction plan that would have fixed nearly half the budget shortfall and perhaps forestalled the cash crisis.
 
And I genuinely believe that our action in that regard, in part has lead to the resumption of Big 5 negotiations and the effort to solve the entire $41 billion problem.
 
But I think our action was indicative of where our hearts and minds are at.
 
In serious times, you don't just wait for solutions to fall into your lap – you work overtime to find the solutions.
 
So we are working overtime and beyond to find a solution with the Governor and Republican leaders.  The Governor is right, the negotiations have been productive, but we need to keep going.
 
There really is an opportunity to turn this situation around on a dime.
 
Everyone talks about late budgets. When we get this agreement done over the next weeks, we will have then accomplished the earliest budget in the history of California .
 
I can't wait for those couple of weeks to pass and for the legislature and the Governor to come together on a budget agreement because then we can begin focusing on a positive agenda for California .
 
We need to tackle the high school drop-out crisis, education, and the economy.
 
We need to get a water agreement. Renewable energy. Health care. There's so many positive issues, so many positive agendas to tackle.
 
Let's put this behind us so that we can get started on all of those things. 
 

###

For Immediate Release
January 15, 2009
Sacramento

###

For Immediate Release
January 14, 2009
Sacramento

AS GOVERNOR PREPARES TO GIVE ANNUAL ADDRESS, CALIFORNIA FAMILIES SAY
“THE STATE OF THE PEOPLE” IS GRIM

With record number of Californians losing
their jobs, homes, and healthcare, families say
more budget cuts are exactly the wrong prescription
See Photos of Rally

Sacramento , CA – As Governor Schwarzenegger prepares to report on the State of the State tomorrow, California 's families today declared that “the State of the People” is increasingly grim with a record number of Californians having lost their jobs and health care and their homes.  California educators, students, health care workers, seniors and people with disabilities said more state budget cuts are exactly the wrong prescription after they've suffered the consequences of more than $16 billion in state budget cuts to critical services over the last 3 years.

“California families are here to report what you won't hear from the Governor tomorrow: budget cuts over the last three years have deeply wounded our families' health and well-being, diminished our children's opportunity for the future, and damaged our economy.” said Evan LeVang, Director, Independent Living Resource Center of Northern California. 

Californians who have personally been affected by budget cuts detailed the severe consequences that the cuts, including $10 billion in cuts already this year, have had on California families who have already been hit hard by the nation's economic meltdown.  

“Before our elected leaders slash another dollar from our hospitals, they should think about what health care would be worth to them if their husband, their daughter, or their father needed care.  Because every patient that comes to our hospital is someone's parent, spouse, or child,” said Beverly Griffith, an environmental services worker and SEIU member at Summit Medical Center in Oakland . “While longer hours and staff shortages caused by budget cuts have been rough on hospital workers, they've been unbearable for our patients.”

Faye Harold, an Alameda County Homecare worker and SEIU member, said, "the Governor's proposal to eliminate domestic IHSS services will literally force our parents, grandparents, and people with disabilities out of their homes and into more expensive nursing care. It also means that Californians with disabilities and our elderly will have to pay more out of pocket for health care when they haven't received cost of living increases in years.  This proposal will exacerbate California 's health care crisis and will create a human crisis for patients and the workers and their families who do this most grueling and self-less work."   

“Californians with disabilities have been saying for years, that cuts to Medi-Cal and SSI/SSP threaten the quality of our lives. After years of suffering through these cuts, the Governor's proposed decimation of In-Home Supportive Services now threatens to endanger our lives.  That is why we are challenging every legislator and the Governor to spend some time with their constituents who rely on homecare services. The theme is: Take Our Dare: Show You Care!  Following this news conference, we will be delivering letters to the Governor and every legislator inviting them to take part in this program,” said Herb Meyer, a disabled senior from Marin County who relies on In-Home Supportive Services to live his life independently and in his own home.

Jeannette Sansenbach, a third-grade teacher in the Folsom-Cordova Unified School District said, “Due to budget cuts, the size of my class increased from 20 to 32 students this year. It's nearly impossible to give the students the attention they deserve, and need to succeed.  The increased class sizes not only affect my ability to help the students in crucial subjects like writing and math, but, as a result, I've also had to eliminate the art program my students loved. We just don't have the time or the space anymore. I can't imagine what another round of budget cuts will do to my students.”

“Although the state's economy has made my desire to graduate from a CSU so difficult, I know that students just starting out have it even worse,” said Whitney Thompson a student at Fresno State University . “For the first time in its history, the CSU is turning away tens of thousands of students who are eligible to go to college but who are being denied access because of budget cuts. The CSU has said it simply can't afford to enroll all of the state's qualified students. I'm afraid that many of my friends who have completed their community college work will never be able to attend a CSU.”

At today's news conference, speakers said that in the midst of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, more budget cuts are absolutely the worst thing the State could do; more cuts mean higher unemployment, a deeper, longer recession, and fewer safety net services for families who are struggling to survive.

Budget cuts totaling $16 billion over the last three years have already had severe consequences for the people of California .  And the Governor's proposed 09-10 budget would further harm California families and our economy with an additional $17 billion in cuts to schools, health care, homecare, and state services.

The group assembled today said the only way to protect California families and cushion our fragile economy from the consequences of further budget cuts is to adopt new, permanent revenues that fund essential services without further burdening low-and middle income families.

###

For Immediate Release
November 11, 2008
10:30 a.m.
State Capitol, South Steps

Governor proposes reckless cuts to programs that deliver proven results to veterans and other seniors and people with disabilities

IHSS consumers and workers to rally for budget reform that protects cost-effective, valuable programs
See Photos of Rally

WHO: Bill Young, Herb Meyer, Ed Huddleston, Karen Sandidge, Michael Herald, Marty Omoto, Jerry Williams, Frances Gracechild, Laura Reyes
WHERE: South Steps, State Capitol
WHEN: 10:30 a.m. – Tuesday, November 11

SACRAMENTO—On Veterans Day, (Tuesday November 11th) scores of disabled veterans and the workers who provide their home care will rally to demand Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and lawmakers protect efficient programs that provide proven results to taxpayers—like the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program.

IHSS provides home care for more than 429,000 low-income people with disabilities, the elderly, and blind, while saving taxpayers millions of dollars by eliminating the need for costly long-term care institutions.

“I'm a veteran and, yes, I'm disabled. However I'm able to live independently at home because of home care, but enough is enough. I'm tired of hearing our state leaders say ‘every program budget cut is on the table.' Why is an efficient program that I rely upon still on the table when it's been proven repeatedly to be among the most cost-effective in the country?” said Herb Meyer, a Korean war veteran, senior and IHSS consumer from Marin County . “The public wants a fair and balanced budget, and that means protecting programs that give taxpayers the most bang for their buck.”

The Legislative Analyst's Office has estimated that annual spending on each IHSS recipient is $9,924. But if that IHSS consumer is forced into a nursing home, the state pays about $55,000 a year. The IHSS program is a cost-effective part of California 's long-term care system, enabling thousands of Californians - including seniors and persons with disabilities - to stay out of nursing homes and other institutions.

“Legislators have repeatedly told Governor Schwarzenegger that IHSS is among the cost-effective and efficient state programs,” said Karen Sandidge, an IHSS provider in Sacramento County and member of SEIU-UHW. “They have rejected his cuts in the past and we hope the Governor takes a closer look at this program so he can see it is working well and delivering value to taxpayers.”

“It is still crystal clear that our budget system is broken,” said Bill Young , a Korean war veteran, senior and IHSS consumer from Sacramento County . “How else do you explain the Governor proposing cuts to a cost-effective program? All we hear from the Governor is that we need to sacrifice and tighten our belts. Well, Governor Schwarzenegger, you've already put the belt around my neck. How much more do you want to tighten it?”

“This isn't belt-tightening and sacrifice; it's a tourniquet, a desperate measure by a Governor who has squandered the political will and fiscal sense that could have fixed the state's unstable budget system,” said Marty Omoto, Director and Organizer of CA Disability Community Action (CDCAN).

IHSS is a statewide public program providing essential personal care and domestic services to approximately 429,000 aged, blind or disabled Californians who are unable to remain safely in their own homes without such assistance.

“This is a program where the Federal government matches the state's commitment and we're walking away from millions of dollars in funding,” said John Wilkins, an IHSS consumer in Fresno County and Co-Chair of the Quality Homecare Coalition . “Local and regional governments are left holding the bag. This is exactly the type of short-sighted budget process that put California in this fiscal crisis to begin with. I hope the Governor recognizes he has proven himself a reckless and irresponsible fiscal manager, even worse than former governors he mocked before running for the office in 2003.”

“While we recognize the dire fiscal situation of the California state budget, it is inexcusable for the Governor to sacrifice the health and welfare of seniors and people with disabilities and their caregivers with these devastating budget cut proposals,” said home care provider Ed Huddleston of Merced, a veteran and a member of the United Domestic Workers of America.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has yet again proposed drastic cuts ($348.9 million this year and over $1 billion next year) to cash assistance for low-income elderly, blind or disabled consumers who depend on two vital programs: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and State Supplementary Program (SSP).

The Governor also plans to slash the fixed incomes of approximately 1.3 million Californians who are elderly, blind, or have disabilities, and who depend on SSI/ SSP grants to survive. The current SSI/ SSP grant is only $870 for an individual and $1,524 for a couple. People who depend on SSI are supposed to pay for all their needs – food, shelter, utilities, and transportation – out of this amount. The Governor has proposed cutting SSI/ SSP grants to $830 for an individual and $1,407 for a couple.

“Taking that money away from poor Californians won't have a great effect on California 's budget but it will have a grim effect on the people who rely on it to survive,” said Frances Gracechild , Executive Director of Resources for Independent Living Centers and Co-Chair of the Quality Homecare Coalition . “Approximately 78 percent of In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) consumers receive SSI/ SSP . California 's SSI/ SSP recipients are not eligible for food stamps – so the loss of the federal SSI COLA will not be balanced with food stamp benefits as is done in many other states.”

The Legislative Analyst's Office analysis has suggested in the past that the Governor's funding freeze would jeopardize the IHSS program by making it difficult to retain quality home care workers. In addition to rolling back work pay to minimum wage, a number of care providers would lose their health insurance due to inadequate funding.

"It is difficult to believe that the Governor should have such a complete lack of understanding about how difficult it will be for IHSS workers as a result of frozen wages and lack of healthcare benefits," said Jerry Williams, a Sutter County IHSS provider, member of SEIU 4034/AFSCME and twenty-year veteran of the National Guard.  "If he could live for just one week in our shoes, he would see things differently and revise his proposals."  

"We have lobbied the Governor continuously about his cuts and funding freezes, and he continues to ignore our pleas," said Bill Powers of the California Alliance for Retired Americans .

###

Guilty or Not Guilty?
Home Care Providers Put Board of Supervisors on Trial

San Diego , Calif. (May 22, 2008)—Home care providers want the Board of Supervisors to stand trial for crimes against the poor. On Thursday at 4 p.m., home care providers are assembling working men and women, community organizations and union leaders to serve as jurors—and asking for a guilty verdict because of the supervisors' inhumane treatment of home care providers and for denying them decent wages.

The prosecuting attorney has lined up witnesses to testify, exposing the supervisors' indifference over home care workers' inability to survive on poverty pay in San Diego County. Also wanting to testifying on behalf of the working poor are UC San Diego students and pastors from local churches, community leaders of organizations such as the NAACP, United African American Ministerial Action Council (UAAMAC), the Interfaith Committee for Workers Justice, Center on Policy Initiatives, elected officials and labor unions like AFSCME Local 127and the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council. As the trial draws near, the list of witnesses continues to grow.

Home care providers are paid far less than their counterparts in most other urban California jurisdictions and well below what it takes to survive in the county. Supervisors can offer better wages to low-income providers without spending local tax money, but have chosen not to tap into state and federal resources available to them.

Sin ce 2000, other counties have significantly increased home care providers' wages. Yet in San Diego County , providers still endure poverty pay. San Diego County providers, mostly women of color, barely earn enough to support basic needs.

WHO: San Diego home care providers, labor and community leaders
WHAT: Home care providers putting county supervisors on trial for crimes against the working poor
WHEN: Thursday, May 22, 2008, 4:00 pm
WHERE: Memorial Bowl, 373 Park Way , Chula Vista , CA 91910

If you would like to testify or want more information, please call the UDW office at (800) 244-2778. The time is now. If not now, when!

To join our fight, please call the UDWA office at (800) 244-2778. The time is now. If not now, when!

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UDWA “Speak Out” Rally Against Poverty Home Care Wages Draws Community and Labor Support

San Diego, CA (March 25, 2008) Several hundred San Diego County home care workers represented by the United Domestic Workers of America (UDWA) , and other union organizations and community leaders rallied today to “Speak Out” against poverty wages in San Diego. Currently working without a union contract – which expired in January 2008 – San Diego homecare workers are paid far less than their counterparts in most other urban California cities and well below what it takes to survive in San Diego . The San Diego County Board of Supervisors can provide better wages to impoverished home care workers without spending a dime in local tax money but have chosen not to tap into State and Federal resources readily available to them.

Attending and speaking at today's rally included Reverend Gerald W. Brown, Sr. of the United African American Ministerial Action Council (UAAMAC) which represents 5,000 church members, Lorena Gonzalez, Secretary Treasurer of the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Union, Sister Justine of the Interfaith Council for Workers Justice (ICWJ) , Doug Oden, President of the NAACP, Gregory Morales of the Mexican American Political Association (MAPA) and from Congresswoman Susan Davis's Office, Todd Gloria.

“I believe it will take the entire village to fight for decent wages for our home care providers. That's why other labor organizations, church and community groups are coming out in support of livable ages for our workers because “they get it”. We are in the process of organizing a Voter Registration Drive unlike San Diego has ever seen. Our 19,000 voices will be heard,” said Laura Reyes, home care provider and UDWA President.

The United Domestic Workers of America's contract expired. The UDWA Negotiations Team has been negotiating with County management for livable wages and basic health care benefits for home care providers. Contract negotiations with the County for a new agreement have been extremely difficult and challenging. At the last meeting with the home care workers' Union, negotiators representing County politicians demanded that home care providers accept a token increase of just 1.26% (a total of just 35 cent per hour over three years).

Existing State and Federal funding – money that up to now County politicians have failed to fully tap into – is available to the County for livable home care wages. In addition to the obvious benefit to home care workers and their families, economists estimate that the wage increase would infuse $63 million into the local economy and increase the regional tax base by nearly $800,000.

The United Domestic Workers of America (UDWA) is a Union representing 19,000 In Home Support Service (IHSS) providers who provide high quality, vitally-needed services to the elderly, blind, and disabled in San Diego County . UDWA was founded in San Diego to lift home care workers out of poverty by negotiating for the livable wages and basic benefits that all health care providers need.

The IHSS program helps pay for services provided to people in California so that they can remain safely in their own home. This program is managed by the California Department of Social Services and administered at the County level. The average IHSS recipient costs the state approximately $10,000 per year. If a recipient were forced to live in a nursing home, the cost to care for that person would be approximately $60,000 to $80,000 per year.

To join our fight, please call the UDWA office at (800) 244-2778. The time is now. If not now, when!

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Governor Signs Ridley-Thomas Bill
Protecting In-Home Care Recipients

Sacramento, CA—The Governor has signed legislation by Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) that will provide greater protection for individuals who rely on In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). Senate Bill 868 will expand the use of fingerprint background checks for IHSS workers who provide residential caretaking services to approximately 375,000 poor, elderly or disabled Californians who are unable to function safely without assistance.

“The relationship between the client and their assistant is critical and requires a high level of trust and discretion,” stated Ridley-Thomas. “These are vulnerable consumers and in light of heightened awareness of sexual predators, child and elder abuse and rampant identity theft, we must ensure there are safeguards in place that will help identify questionable characters before they begin their employment.”

SB 868 clarifies ambiguities in current law by authorizing organizations and businesses that provide IHSS workers to screen new applicants via the Department of Justice Live Scan fingerprinting system. The IHSS program is funded by federal, state and local dollars. SB 868 also provides for cost sharing of the background checks so that counties will not have to bear the entire burden of the costs.

According to the California Department of Justice, approximately one out of every 20 seniors is a victim of neglect or physical, psychological or financial abuse. A study of California IHSS workers found that 6.4 percent of workers had criminal histories and in some counties, up to 15 percent of IHSS worker applicants had prior criminal records.

“I am pleased that our union took the lead and the Governor has signed this historic piece of legislation,” said Jovan Agee, representative of the United Domestic Workers of America, the organization that sponsored the measure. “For the first time counties have the luxury of using Department of Justice Criminal background checks with out having to pass the cost on to IHSS providers or consumers.”

The majority of IHSS workers are family members or friends, earning minimum wage while providing clients with a broad range of care such as: non-medical personal services, paramedical, domestic, cleaning and transportation services, and in some cases, protective supervision.

Last year, the Governor vetoed a similar proposal by Ridley-Thomas (AB 2486). To learn more about the new law that will take effect in January, visit the Senator’s website:
http://dist26.casen.govoffice.com/.

UDW to Consider Major Reforms that will Bring More Democracy, Accountability to Union

-- Nearly 100 elected delegates will vote on constitutional changes
at convention March 23-24--

-- New poll shows that 76% of members approve of UDW --
Read complete poll results (pdf file)

( San Diego, CA) – Nearly 100 elected delegates will convene in San Diego March 23-24 to consider changes to the United Domestic Workers of America (UDW) Constitution. These proposals, written by home care providers throughout 2006, will restructure the union, promote democracy among the membership and bring about greater accountability.

If approved, the changes would represent a clean break from the way the union conducted business prior to 2005. That year, UDW was placed under administratorship by its parent union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) after UDW’s top leaders mismanaged funds, and allowed nepotism and cronyism to run rampant.

To learn how the administratorship restored fiscal health and launched unprecedented membership growth, see the enclosed fact sheet.

In addition to considering the reforms, a new poll was released showing that fully 76% of UDW members approve of the union’s job.

“UDW is stronger than ever. And with the reforms we’re about to make, we’re going to make sure it stays that way,” says Laura Reyes, a San Diego home care provider and convention delegate. “These reforms will mean that UDW will truly be a union of, by and for home care providers.”

Among the key constitution changes:

• Part-time officers. If approved, the new constitution will provide for part-time officers who will share their power with an executive board. An executive director, answerable to the full board, will run the day-to-day operations of the union. Prior to 2005, the UDW president and secretary-treasurer were full-time, highly paid and held very powerful, autonomous positions; all union staff -- many of whom were family and friends -- served at the top leaders’ pleasure alone.

• Executive Board comprised exclusively of home care providers. If approved, the new constitution will ensure that only home care providers can be elected to the executive board, making UDW a union of, by and for home care providers. Previously, anyone could sit on the board, which was beholden only to the president and secretary-treasurer of the union.

• Inclusive county representation. The new constitution calls for every UDW county to have at least one seat on the executive board, ensuring that providers all around the state are represented. Previously, the elected officers stacked the board with individuals of their choosing.

• Ability to build local power. The new constitution will enable counties to elect their own officers and conduct county-specific business. Previously, all decisions, even local ones, were handled by the president in the San Diego headquarters alone.

• UDW members must be current providers. If approved, the new constitution will allow that only current providers have a say in the union. Previously, providers could take a leave from their home care jobs but still belong to the union and vote for officers.

11TH HOUR DEAL SAVES AFFORDABLE HEALTH COVERAGE FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY IHSS HOME CARE PROVIDERS

-- Just Days before Health Coverage Would Have Expired for Thousands, Providers’ Union Reaches Agreement with County Officials to Save Benefits, and Lower Costs --

Nearly 200 Home Care Providers Deliver Big Thank You to County atBoard of Supervisors Meeting This Morning

(San Diego, CA) – The United Domestic Workers of America (UDW) and San Diego County officials reached an agreement that protects major medical health insurance for home care providers and reduces the providers’ costs by 33 percent. Had the agreement not been reached, nearly 3,000 home care providers – who care for San Diego County’s frail and disabled residents through the In-Home Support Services (IHSS) program – would have lost their current benefits today.

“Our number one priority was protecting the current level of health care for thousands of providers. We succeeded,” said Doug Moore, UDW’s Deputy Administrator. “We thank the County and Kaiser Permanente for working with us to find a solution that benefits everyone, particularly those who care for San Diego’s most vulnerable.”

“The important thing is that by doing right for providers, San Diego County is doing right by the clients we serve,” said Kerry Lingo, an IHSS provider who cares for his wife Patricia. “Many of the people we work with rely on us just to help them with daily care. Affordable health care keeps us on the job and at our best for clients.”

Under the agreement, Kaiser Permanente, a widely respected insurer, will offer providers the same level of major-medical health care they had previously.

Thanks to the willingness of Kaiser Permanente, San Diego County officials and home care providers to work together, the costs were reduced for providers, who live on $9 an hour. Individual providers will pay $34.59 per month, a savings of 33 percent over the previous $52. The deal also reduced the fee they pay for doctors’ visits from $15 to $10.

“Health insurance is the only benefit we receive for our work,” said Lingo. “We were very scared that it would be taken away. But we rallied together and won.”

More than 150 home care providers from the IHSS system delivered their thanks to County officials at the Board of Supervisors meeting this morning.

“We were able to come together with the County around our shared goal of providing the best care we can for the San Diego County residents who need it most. We hope this is the beginning of a productive and renewed relationship,” said UDW’s Moore .

UDW–represented home care providers express their thanks to many people who came together to make the deal possible. Those include Senator Denise Ducheny (40 th District), Senator Christine Kehoe (39 th), Assemblymember Lori Saldana (76 th), Assemblymember George Plescia (75 th), Secretary–Treasurer Jerry Butkiewicz of the San Diego–Imperial Counties Labor Council, the Interfaith Committee on Worker Justice and the San Diego Disability Action Coalition.

County’s “Heartless” Schemes Would Strip Thousands of Health Insurance, Force Them onto Public Assistance

-- Under proposed schemes, San Diego county home health care providers – who earn just $9.00 an hour – will lose current health benefits by October 31 --

-- Affordable solutions exist, but county appears more willing to swell Medi-Cal roll -

( San Diego, CA) – San Diego County home care providers represented by the United Domestic Workers (UDW) filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) with the state Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) against county supervisors this week. The charge was filed because supervisors have proposed “heartless” schemes to weaken affordable health care benefits for home care providers – despite affordable solutions offered by the UDW.

The county recently turned down a bid by Sharp Healthcare to continue covering home care providers. Though the current plan is scheduled to expire October 31, 2006, the UDW is asking the state to intervene to prevent thousands of providers from losing their health insurance. UDW has offered several solutions to the problem; and the county has rejected all of them.

“Home care workers provide in-home health services for our county’s most vulnerable residents, but now the county is telling us we’re on our own when it comes to our personal health care needs,” said Carmen Camacho, an El Cajon home care provider. “Affordable solutions are available. But the county’s heartless health care schemes will only force thousands more onto public assistance plus millions more spent in tax dollars.”

San Diego County is home to approximately 19,000 home care providers who tend to the needs of the county’s frail, elderly and disabled. Providers earn just $9.00 an hour and health insurance is their only benefit.

Under the current insurance program through Sharp Healthcare, the county contributes $215 per provider per month toward health insurance. Sharp recently bid to renew the insurance program at a slightly higher cost, reflecting nationwide health care cost increases.

But the county declined Sharp’s offer as well as several subsequent proposals from the UDW, threatening instead to either force providers into a substandard and low quality “mini-med” health plan or let them fend for themselves by finding their own health care – options that are neither practical nor affordable. In fact, the county’s schemes will likely lead to a swelling of the state’s Medi-Cal rolls.

Even more senseless is the fact that, in the end, health insurance for home care providers does not cost the county anything. The federal and state governments reimburse the county the monthly $215 health care contribution and even more money is readily available to protect current benefits.

Yet the county has chosen to leave this money on the table and ignore the health care needs of thousands of hardworking local residents.

“In the end, the county doesn’t spend a dime on our health insurance,” said Gustavo Gutierrez, a San Diego provider. “How can they even consider forcing thousands of the working poor – some of whom have illnesses themselves – to fend for basic health care?”