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The following releases are listed by date with the most recent appearing first.

For Immediate Release March 25, 2008		Contact: Barbara Maynard, (323) 351-9321 or Myrtle Cole, (619) 263-7254
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! ###

For Immediate Release October 10, 2007		Contact: Carlota Gutierrez (916) 651-4026
Governor Signs Ridley-Thomas Bill Protecting In-Home Care Recipients Expands criminal background checks for IHSS workers 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/.

For Immediate Release March 23 , 2007		Contact: Blaine Rummel (202) 297-1149
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.

For Immediate Release October 31, 2006		Contact: Barbara Maynard or Dan Braun (213) 387–0780 or (323) 351–9321 (cell)
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. 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. IHSS Providers earn just $9.00 an hour and health insurance is their only benefit.

For Immediate Release October 06, 2006		Contact: Blaine Rummel 202 429-5082
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?”

For Immediate Release September 27, 2005		Contact: Blaine Rummel 619-213-6958
Report: Imperial County Turning Down Funds that Could Lift Homecare Workers Out of Poverty, Boost Local Economy -- Home care workers, clients explain how supervisors can tap available state and federal funds to pay workers more, create multi-million windfall for local businesses -- (El Centro, CA) – A new report released today revealed that Imperial County is turning down available federal and state funding, earmarked for the county’s home care system, that could be used to grant county workers raises and health insurance and boost the local economy. The report, At No Cost: How Imperial County Can Use State and Federal Dollars to Lift Home Care Workers Out of Poverty and Strengthen its Local Economy, was produced by the United Domestic Workers of America (UDW), an affiliate of AFSCME. Imperial County is home to about 4,100 home care workers who clean, cook and perform domestic chores for seniors and people with disabilities who cannot care for themselves. County homecare workers receive no health insurance and earn just $6.75 per hour – below the Federal Poverty Line for a family of three. “Our work saves county taxpayers thousands of dollars by caring for the elderly and disabled in the comfort of their homes instead of being forced into expensive and impersonal long-term care facilities,” said Trinidad Garcia, an Imperial County home care worker. “Yet the county thanks us with a wage we can barely live on. The money is there for those who care. It’s about time Imperial County supervisors started tapping into it.” Funds for Raises are Readily Available According to the report, ample state and federal funding is available to raise home care workers’ pay to $10.50 an hour without costing Imperial County a dime. While many counties throughout California have tapped into this funding stream, Imperial County home care workers have made just $6.75 an hour for several years. By law, Imperial County must advance the state 17.5% of home care workers’ wages and benefits. If workers are granted a raise to $8.50 an hour plus health insurance, it would cost the county $1.9 million upfront to draw down state and federal funds. A raise to $10.50 plus health insurance would cost the county $3.6 million. However this money would be reimbursed through state realignment funds, making the final cost to the county for delivering millions of hours of home care zero. A “Solid Investment in Imperial County’s Future” The report also highlighted the positive impact that granting the raises will have on the county’s economy. According to a formula calculated by Professor Warren Jensen of the Center for Economic Development at California State University, Chico, Imperial County businesses will reap an $11.9 million windfall in consumer spending if home care worker wages are increased to $8.50 an hour and $22.5 million if wages are increased to $10.50. In addition, the county’s tax revenues will swell by a projected $146,154 and $276,674 if wages are increased to $8.50 and $10.50, respectively. “Imperial County Supervisors have an easy decision to make. They can continue leaving money on the table, or they can improve the lives of thousands of residents, strengthen local businesses and grow the tax base,” said Garcia. “It’s time to make a solid investment in Imperial County’s future with a good home care contract.”

 

For Immediate Release September 27, 2005		Contact: Blaine Rummel 619-213-6958
New Report Reveals: Butte County Leaders Refusing Funds that Could Lift Local Workers Out of Poverty, Boost Economy -- Home care workers, clients uncover supervisors’ refusal to tap available state and federal funds to pay workers more, create $8 million windfall for local businesses -- (Oroville, CA) – A new report released today revealed that Butte County is failing to take advantage of available federal and state funding, earmarked for the county’s home care system, that could be used to grant county workers raises and health insurance and boost the local economy. The report, At No Cost: How Butte County Can Use State and Federal Dollars to Lift Home Care Workers Out of Poverty and Strengthen its Local Economy, was produced by the United Domestic Workers of America (UDW), an affiliate of AFSCME. Butte County is home to about 2,000 home care workers who clean, cook and perform domestic chores for seniors and people with disabilities who cannot care for themselves. County homecare workers receive no health insurance and earn just $7.11 per hour – below the Federal Poverty Line for a family of three. “Our work saves county taxpayers thousands of dollars by caring for the elderly and disabled in the comfort of their homes instead of being forced into expensive and impersonal long-term care facilities,” said Golden Sizemore, a Butte County home care worker and UDW/AFSCME member. “Yet the county thanks us with a wage we can barely live on. The money is there for those who care. It’s about time Butte County supervisors started tapping into it.” Funds for Raises are Readily Available According to the report, ample state and federal funding is available to raise home care workers’ pay to $10.50 an hour without costing Butte County a dime. While some counties throughout California have tapped into this funding stream more aggressively, Butte County home care workers have made just $7.11 an hour for several years. By law, Butte County must advance the state 17.5% of home care workers’ wages and benefits. If workers are granted a raise to $8.50 an hour plus health insurance, it would cost the county $1.4 million upfront to draw down state and federal funds. A raise to $10.50 plus health insurance would cost the county $2.8 million. However this money would be reimbursed through state realignment funds, making the final cost to the county for delivering 3,741,741 hours of home care zero. A “Solid Investment in ButteCounty’s Future” The report also highlighted the positive impact that granting the raises will have on the county’s economy. According to a formula calculated by Professor Warren Jensen of the Center for Economic Development at California State University, Chico, Butte County businesses will reap an $8 million windfall in consumer spending if home care worker wages are increased to $8.50 per hour and a $16.6 million windfall if wages are increased to $10.50 an hour. In addition, the county's tax revenues will swell by a projected $136,000 and $280,000 if wages are increased to $8.50 and $10.50 an hour, respectively. “Butte County Supervisors have an easy decision to make. They can continue leaving money on the table, or they can improve the lives of thousands of residents, strengthen local businesses and grow the tax base,” said Sizemore. “It’s time to make a solid investment in Butte County’s future with a good home care contract.”

For Immediate Release September 20, 2005		Contact: Blaine Rummel 951-786-1300
Report: Orange County Turning Down Funds that Could Lift Homecare Workers Out of Poverty, Boost Local Economy -- Home care workers, clients explain how supervisors can tap available state and federal funds to pay workers more, create $13.4 million windfall for local businesses -- (Santa Ana, CA) – A new report released today revealed that Orange County is turning down available federal and state funding, earmarked for the county’s home care system, that could be used to grant county workers raises and health insurance and boost the local economy. The report, At No Cost: How Orange County Can Use State and Federal Dollars to Lift Home Care Workers Out of Poverty and Strengthen its Local Economy, was produced by the United Domestic Workers of America (UDW), an affiliate of AFSCME. Orange County is home to about 9,000 home care workers who clean, cook and perform domestic chores for seniors and people with disabilities who cannot care for themselves. The county wage for homecare workers is $8.00 per hour, with a median weekly wage of just $251 – below the Federal Poverty Line for a family of three. “Our work saves county taxpayers thousands of dollars by caring for the elderly and disabled in the comfort of their homes instead of being forced into expensive and impersonal long-term care facilities,” said Michael Bocancea, an Orange County home care worker and UDW/AFSCME member. “Yet the county thanks us with a wage we can barely live on. Orange County supervisors should start being fair to those who care.” Funds for Raises are Readily Available According to the report, ample state and federal funding is available to raise home care workers’ pay to $10.50 an hour without costing Orange County a dime. While some counties throughout California have tapped into this funding stream more aggressively, Orange County home care workers have made just $8.00 an hour for several years. “Orange County is leaving money on the table.” said Angela Roman, an Orange County home care worker and UDW/AFSCME member. “It doesn’t cost the county anything to raise our wages.” By law, Orange County must advance the state 17.5 cents for each dollar increase to home care workers’ wages and benefits. If the workers’ proposal is approved, it would cost the county $1.4 million upfront to draw down state and federal funds. However this money would be reimbursed through state realignment funds, costing the county nothing. A “Solid Investment in Orange County’s Future” The report also highlighted the positive impact that granting the raises will have on the county’s economy. According to a formula calculated by Professor Warren Jensen of the Center for Economic Development at California State University, Chico, Orange County businesses will reap a $13.4 million windfall in consumer spending if home care worker wages are increased to $8.75 per hour. In addition, the county’s tax revenues will swell by a projected $205,000. “Orange County Supervisors have an easy decision to make. They can continue leaving money on the table, or they can improve the lives of thousands of residents, strengthen local businesses and grow the tax base,” said Thuy Pham, a county home care provider. “With so much financial uncertainty in Orange County’s past, it’s time to make a solid investment in Orange County’s future with a good home care contract.”

For Immediate Release Sept 19 , 2005		Contact: TJ Michels, SEIU, 202-898-3321 Jodi Sakol , AFSCME, 202-429-1134
New AFSCME-SEIU Pact to Help More Workers Win Voice at Work Breakthrough Agreement Includes “No-Raid” Commitment to Increase Organizing WASHINGTON – The American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) have reached a series of breakthrough agreements that renew their commitment to protecting and preserving existing collective bargaining relationships and will allow them to devote their energies to strategically uniting workers in such key industries such as childcare and homecare. “When we strengthen our cooperation and help workers in the same industry unite, everybody wins,” said SEIU President Andy Stern. “We look forward to working together with AFSCME to create better jobs and provide quality services.” “This agreement is a victory for the millions of workers who want a union but don’t have one,” said AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee. “I look forward to working with SEIU to help unorganized workers get good jobs, health care and a voice at work.” Under the national, two-year pact, AFSCME and SEIU agreed that neither union will attempt to raid, decertify or otherwise interfere with existing representation rights. The agreement also establishes a joint committee to address issues of union density and jurisdiction, creates a joint “Unity Local” of child care providers in California and Pennsylvania and creates a unified homecare union in California. California homecare providers not currently protected by an AFSCME or SEIU collective bargaining agreement will be represented by both unions in the new California United Homecare Workers Union, AFSCME/SEIU. The partnership will help roughly 25,000 caregivers who provide vital in-home services to California’s seniors and people with disabilities win fair contracts that include a livable wage and health care. The 120,000 home care and nursing home workers who are members of SEIU Local 434B and the 60,000 members of UDW/AFSCME will work in partnership while maintaining their autonomy. In California and Pennsylvania, SEIU and AFSCME will also collaborate to unite home-based family child care providers and will work together to improve benefits and stability in the child care profession. In both states, family child care providers would become members of the new statewide union, to be affiliated with both AFSCME and SEIU. The two unions also established a legally binding dispute-resolution procedure.

For Immediate Release August 31, 2005		Contact: Blaine Rummel (951) 786-1300 or Tiffany Ricci (202) 429-5047
Home Care Workers Union Files Charges to Halt Outside Union’s Systematic Campaign of Coercion and Misrepresentation; Calls on State to Launch Formal Investigation -- United Domestic Workers (UDW)/AFSCME files formal charge with state labor board against Local 434B/SEIU claiming union used coercion and lies in raiding campaign -- (San Diego, CA) – Home care workers represented by the United Domestic Workers (UDW)/American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) charged an outside union with using coercive and deceitful tactics in an effort to get them to switch unions. In a formal charge filed today with the California Public Employee Relations Board (PERB), UDW/AFSCME claims Local 434B of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) engaged in a campaign of coercion and misrepresentation against thousands of UDW home care workers in nine counties across the state. According to UDW/AFSCME, thousands of its members -- home care workers who clean, cook and perform domestic chores for seniors and people with disabilities who cannot care for themselves -- have been the target of a deceptive and unethical "raiding" drive by Local 434B/SEIU for new members and dues money. Statements have been collected from workers throughout California, providing evidence that representatives of Local 434B/SEIU lied to them, claiming they were with UDW/AFSCME or telling them that they needed to sign Local 434B membership cards in order to get a raise. UDW/AFSCME reports that more than 1000 of its members who signed SEIU/434B membership cards cancelled them immediately after learning that they were the victims of fraud and deception. UDW/AFSCME requests that the PERB issue a complaint on the charge immediately and halt the processing of all Local 434B election petitions pending the outcome of the PERB's adjudicatory process. And UDW/AFSCME members call on Local 434B/SEIU to immediately stop all petitioning activity and interference with UDW/AFSCME's contract negotiations. In its PERB charge, UDW/AFSCME claims SEIU engaged in the improper activities in the following counties: Butte, Del Norte, Humboldt, Imperial, Kings, Lake, Riverside, Shasta and Siskiyou. The charge asserts that "Local 434B/SEIU has interfered with, restrained, and coerced home care workers by through a combination of coercion and misrepresentation in connection with its solicitation of authorization cards." Some of the specific claims in UDW's PERB charge include the following: Local 434B's purported authorization cards were obtained under the false pretense that it was UDW – not a union attempting to supplant UDW – that was distributing the cards and encouraging UDW members to sign them. Both sides of each Local 434B/SEIU authorization card are stamped "UDW," falsely indicating that UDW authorized and distributed the cards. Local 434B supplemented its written misrepresentations and voicemail campaign with false statements made in person by its solicitors. Local 434B solicitors wore UDW buttons or other paraphernalia. Local 434B solicitors threatened that there would be no pay raises or benefit increases unless the workers signed their cards; and claimed to be working on behalf of and helping UDW. In fact, the purpose of the cards is to "help" UDW out of its status as exclusive bargaining representative. "Local 434B solicited cards under false pretenses," said Glenn Rothner, an attorney for AFSCME. "We're asking the state to declare these cards invalid. Pending the PERB's final determination of this complaint, we believe that Local 434B's petitions in these nine counties should be held in abeyance," added Rothner. Local 434B officials have stated that UDW/AFSCME members signed membership cards because they want new union representation – a claim that many duped card signers flatly deny. "Representatives from 434B told me that I would be less likely to get a raise if I didn't sign their card. But the second I found out that was a lie, I cancelled the card I signed," said Sheena Hume, a Butte County home care worker and UDW member. "Local 434B misled me and thousands of other home care workers," added Hume. Mary Hassler, a home care worker from Humboldt County signed a Local 434B/SEIU card but immediately revoked it upon learning she was the victim of fraud. "We're in the middle of contract negotiations with the county, and instead of focusing on improving home care jobs we now have to deal with the disgusting tactics of another union," said Hassler. "This could hurt our negotiations with the county. It's demoralizing to think another union would do this to us. Local 434B is spending tons of their members' dues money spreading lies and delaying good contracts for hard workers. I want no part of an organization like that," she added.

For Immediate Release August 23, 2005		Contact: Blaine Rummel 951-786-1300
Home Care Workers Call Riverside Board's Approval of Pay Raise a Victory for Providers and Clients -- UDW members also call on outside union to stop attempted raid -- (Riverside, CA) -- Riverside County home care providers today called the approval of a new contract by the county Board of Supervisors a victory for providers and their families and their clients. The two-year contract, which members of the United Domestic Workers (UDW) approved August 13 by an overwhelming 93 percent, includes two pay raises and a guarantee that workers will not have to pay any additional money for health care coverage for two years. "The seniors, veterans and people with disabilities in our community depend on us to lead comfortable and independent lives. But we can't afford to work so hard and receive so little," said Betty Newsom, a Riverside home care provider. "This contract is a strong step toward a better future for Riverside County home care workers, our families and those we serve." Workers Call on Outside Union to Stop Attempted Raid UDW members called on Local 434B of the service employees union to end its attempted raid of UDW members, calling the outside union's tactics "shameless." During the same period that it was attempting to distract UDW members to join them, Local 434B agreed to a three-year contract for 117,000 Los Angeles County home care providers that contained no wage or benefit improvements, keeping the hourly wage at $8.10. In comparison UDW negotiated a strong contract in Riverside that brings workers's wages up to $9.00 per hour. Upon learning they were misled, hundreds of Riverside home care workers have cancelled their SEIU membership cards and have criticized the SEIU's choice to attack another union instead of organizing workers who are not already in a union. "The SEIU must end its shameful and wasteful attack on home care workers," said Newsom. "Riverside County home care providers are sticking with the union that gets results: UDW/AFSCME."

For Immediate Release August 23, 2005		Contact: Blaine Rummel 951-786-1300
Home Care Workers to Orange County Supervisors: "Save Taxpayers Money, Be Fair to Those Who Care" (Santa Ana, CA) - Orange County home care providers, members of the United Domestic Workers (UDW), today urged county supervisors to give "be fair to those who care" and give them the salary increase they deserve. Home care providers pointed out that the county can afford to do this, as most, if not all, of home care workers' pay and benefits is covered by the state and federal government. Home care workers, who clean, cook and perform domestic chores for seniors and people with disabilities who cannot care for themselves, are currently negotiating pay and benefits with the county. The current wage in Orange County is $8.00 per hour. Orange County can raise workers' wages up to $2.50 per hour, contribute $.60 per hour for a health insurance plan, and have all of these costs fully covered by a combination of state and federal funds. "It would cost the County nothing to give us a raise that will help us provide for ourselves and our families," said home care worker Cecilia York. "We urge supervisors to save taxpayers money by being fair to those who care and settling a good contract." "Improving pay and benefits helps retain quality providers and allows the people who need care to stay in their homes, saving taxpayers a lot of money," added York. In neighboring Riverside County, UDW home care workers just ratified that included two pay raises and plus money for health care coverage. In Kings County, home care workers also recently reached agreement with the county for a proposed contract that includes better pay and medical benefits. "The seniors, veterans and people with disabilities in our community depend on us to lead comfortable and independent lives. But we can't afford to work so hard and receive so little. We need the county to settle a fair contract with us," said home care provider Michael Nguyen.

For Immediate Release August 23, 2005		Contact: Blaine Rummel 951-786-1300
Home Care Workers to Imperial County Supervisors: "Be Fair to Those Who Care" (El Centro, CA) - Imperial County home care providers, represented by the United Domestic Workers (UDW), today urged county supervisors to "be fair to those who care" and give providers the pay raise they need and deserve - an increase that the county can afford. The country's home care workers, who make minimum wage, clean, cook and perform domestic chores for seniors and people with disabilities who cannot care for themselves, are currently negotiating pay and benefits with the county. Currently home care providers in Imperial County are paid $6.75 per hour, the absolute minimum it can pay for home care services. However, Imperial County has the ability to raise workers' wages up to $10.50 (a $3.75 per hour increase), contribute $.60 per hour for a health insurance plan and have all of these costs fully covered by a combination of state and federal funds. "It is just wrong that Imperial County is paying us the minimum wage when it would cost nothing to give us a raise that will help us provide for ourselves and our families," said Trini Garria, an Imperial County home care worker. "We urge supervisors to be fair to those who care and settle a good contract." The Imperial County Board of Supervisors has agreed to meet with home care workers after months of inactivity. Workers urged Imperial supervisors to follow the lead of Riverside County leaders. There, UDW home care workers just ratified a contract that included two pay raises and money for health care coverage. "The seniors, veterans and people with disabilities in our community depend on us to lead comfortable and independent lives. But we can't afford to work so hard and receive so little. The county can afford to do what's right. We need the county to settle a fair contract with us," said home care provider Mike Defelice.

For Immediate Release August 15, 2005		Contact: Tiffany Ricci 202 429-1145
Workers Overwhelmingly Choose AFSCME Contract Ratification a Big Setback to SEIU Raiding Campaign Riverside, CA -- Riverside County home care workers ratified their contract last Saturday by a 93% margin. The ratification will allow workers, represented by the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) / United Domestic Workers (UDW) to receive a 13 percent increase in wages and benefit protections. The ratification marks the first big contract victory for UDW since its old leadership was removed earlier this year for misusing and mismanaging its members money. AFSCME placed UDW under administratorship and took over day to day operations including contract negotiation. "This contract is a great victory for hard working home care providers," said Flo Walker, UDW Administrator. "This overwhelming vote confirms that AFSCME/UDW is the union best able to improve workers' lives." "By sticking with AFSCME and negotiating a solid contract home care workers have won the rights and respect we deserve. Solidarity is powerful and that is what AFSCME is all about," said Felice Conolly, AFSCME/UDW member and member of the contract committee. SEIU Local 434 is attempting to raid AFSCME home care workers throughout California. SEIU's raiding plan included a barrage of home visits, phone calls and direct mail to AFSCME/UDW members in Riverside urging them to reject the contract. Workers overwhelmingly rejected SEIU, and the recent contract ratification is a big setback to their raiding efforts.

 

For Immediate Release August 2, 2005		Contact: Blaine Rummel 619-263-7254
Home Care Workers to SEIU: Stand Down -- UDW/AFSCME Members Call on SEIU to Stop Undercutting their Fight for Better Pay, Benefits - (San Diego, CA) – Members of the United Domestic Workers of America (UDW) today told the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to stand down, calling on them to stop raiding UDW members and undercutting UDW’s recent contract victory in Riverside County. SEIU undercut the contract UDW won in Riverside County, telling providers that they could win UDW members a bigger pay raise. Ironically, SEIU failed to win any pay increase for their members when they settled a contract in Los Angeles County, where they represent 90,000 workers. UDW/AFSCME was able to negotiate a 27% wage increase for Riverside home care workers SEIU launched a campaign of deception weeks ago when it coaxed UDW members into signing SEIU membership cards by telling them that UDW and SEIU were merging. SEIU then filed these cards with officials in Riverside, Butte, Humboldt, Imperial and Shasta counties and used the cards as proof that UDW members wanted to become members of SEIU. As a result, workers in Riverside, Butte and Imperial counties have asked their Boards of Supervisors to remove their names from the SEIU’s lists and have re-affirmed their desire to move forward with UDW/AFSCME. "As a home care worker, I work hard to make ends meet and look to my union to help me get a raise, health care and other benefits. The last thing I need is a deceptive union like SEIU trying to build their membership roles by cheating me and my co-workers,” said Sheena Hume, a home care provider in Butte County, California, who revoked her SEIU membership card. “SEIU just wanted my money and they lied to me to get it. I hope my union, AFSCME, can tell SEIU to back off.” "The SEIU ought to be ashamed for using lies and deceit to swindle Riverside County providers,” said Eugenia Escolano, a Riverside County provider. "I’m sticking with UDW/AFSCME, the only union we can trust to get us the better pay and health benefits we deserve.” In 2001, SEIU and UDW/AFSCME entered into the California Home Care Council Agreement, which divided the state of California 50-50, allowing each union to represent 29 counties. SEIU began violating this agreement when it filed a decertification petition in the counties listed above, which together have more than 18,000 home care workers.

 

For Immediate Release July 26, 2005		Contact: Blaine Rummel 619-263-7254
Home Care Workers: Contract Success Proves “There’s Nothing We Can’t Do” -- Riverside providers urge county board to approve new contract, which includes a pay raise, fully funded health insurance -- -- Home care workers decry raiding by other union -- (Riverside, CA) – Dozens of Riverside County home care providers rallied at the Board of Supervisors meeting to urge supervisors to approve a new contract which grants providers a significant pay raise and freezes worker contributions for health insurance. The contract represents a 27% wage increase for Riverside home care workers since 2003. "We are very pleased with the proposed contract and urge the supervisors to approve it as soon as possible,” said Felice Connolly, a Riverside County home care worker. "Getting a pay increase like this in an era of tight budgets shows that, with our union, there’s nothing we can’t do.” Beginning October 1, Riverside home care workers will make $8.75 an hour, which will increase to $9.00 an hour on July 1, 2006. In addition, the proposed contract does not require workers to pay additional contributions for their health insurance. Riverside providers also condemned attacks on their contract victory by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which is misrepresenting facts to UDW/AFSCME members in attempts to get them to join SEIU. For example, SEIU has told UDW/AFSCME members that they could win Riverside County providers a bigger pay raise. But SEIU recently failed to win any pay increase for their members when they settled a contract in Los Angeles County. "The SEIU ought to be ashamed for using lies and deceit to swindle Riverside County providers,” said Eugenia Escolano, a Riverside County provider. "I’m sticking with UDW/AFSCME, the only union we can trust to get us the better pay and health benefits we deserve.”

 

For Immediate Release July 20, 2005		Contact: Blaine Rummel 202-297-1149
SEIU Found "Plainly Guilty by AFL-CIO of Raiding California Home Care Workers" -- With help from discredited former leaders of United Domestic Workers (UDW), SEIU violated AFL-CIO rules against raiding other AFL unions -- San Diego , CA ) – An AFL-CIO Independent Umpire today found the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) "plainly" in violation of rules prohibiting unions from raiding members of other unions. The rules are found in Article XX of the AFL-CIO Constitution. According to the ruling, SEIU violated the AFL-CIO constitution and must immediately stop raiding California home care providers. “We are pleased with this decision," said Doug Moore, Assistant Administrator of the United Domestic Workers/AFSCME. “Home care providers cook, clean and care for those most in need. They shouldn't have to worry about a self-serving union trying to swindle them out of their money." The ruling stemmed from SEIU's efforts to recruit California home care workers who already belong to the United Domestic Workers of America (UDW), an affiliate of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). AFSCME placed UDW under administratorship and suspended its leaders in June after finding they mismanaged the union's finances. Since then, SEIU has worked hand in hand with UDW's discredited former leaders to call, visit and send mail to UDW/AFSCME members in an effort to get them to sign recruitment cards. According to some home care providers, SEIU representatives even told them that UDW was merging with SEIU, deceiving providers into believing that they were signing cards to re-affirm support for their existing union. “Hopefully this decision means we can go about building a stronger union in peace. We got rid of our former leaders because they were dishonest. Now they are trying to return to power with the SEIU. That's wrong and I won't stand for it," said Rosa Gonzalez, a Riverside County home care provider and UDW/AFSCME member. UDW/AFSCME home care workers have won many victories to improve their lives. In San Diego , 12,500 home care workers got a 26 percent wage increase and health care insurance. In 2003, 8,450 Riverside County providers won a contract which included a 20 percent wage increase and first-time medical benefits. For a copy of the AFL-CIO ruling, please contact Blaine Rummel at 202-297-1149.

For Immediate Release July 1, 2005		Contact: Blaine Rummel (202) 429-5082
. Judge's Ruling “A Major Victory for Home Care Workers"; -- Decision to continue UDW administratorship is first step toward setting home care workers' union on “firm financial footing"; -- ( San Diego , CA ) – U.S. District Judge Barry Ted Moskowitz today affirmed the authority of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) to place the United Domestic Workers union (UDW) under administratorship because “if the administratorship is not imposed…AFSCME may completely lose the ability to protect itself and the members of UDW." In his ruling, Judge Moskowitz noted that “there is evidence that UDW's financial problems are intertwined with corrupt practices and self-dealing by UDW officers." Judge Moskowitz went on to describe a $55,075 bank loan obtained by UDW to help UDW employees purchase automobiles from UDW President Ken Seaton-Msemaji as well as other improper activities. “Today's ruling is a great victory for California home care workers," said Flora Walker, the appointed Administrator of UDW. “Members of UDW deserve leaders who will act in their interest and help them improve their jobs and lives. The decision is a first step toward putting UDW on firm financial footing and strengthening the union in every way." AFSCME placed its 60,000 member affiliate union under administratorship and suspended its leaders on June 15, 2005 , after an internal AFSCME Judicial Panel investigation found that UDW President Ken Seaton-Msemaji and Secretary-Treasurer Fahari Jeffers mismanaged the union's finances, drove UDW to the brink of bankruptcy and covered their tracks with shoddy and deceptive bookkeeping. AFSCME has a zero-tolerance policy with regard to financial wrongdoing. The court case stemmed from the refusal of suspended UDW leaders to accept AFSCME's authority and their continued efforts to interfere with the home care worker union's day-to-day operations and efforts to restore fiscal integrity. AFSCME's independent investigation found that UDW officials committed financial malpractice in the following ways: UDW's President and Secretary-Treasurer (Ken Seaton-Msemaji and Fahari Jeffers) spent the union into bankruptcy, racking up more than $4 million in liabilities; Seaton-Msemaji and Jeffers maintained false financial records that misrepresented UDW's financial condition; Seaton-Msemaji and Jeffers took an illegal interest-free loan for UDW from the Domestic Workers Home Care Center (DWHCC), a charitable organization they controlled; and Based on tax returns filed by DWHCC, the organization appears to have been operated for the personal benefit of Seaton-Msemaji and Jeffers. For example, according to its Form 990 filed with the IRS, in 2002 some 40% of the total expenditures of DWHCC, or $36,000, was paid to Seaton-Msemaji and Jeffers as “expense account and other expenses." “This administratorship will not last a day longer than necessary," said Walker . “Our one and only goal is to put UDW back on firm financial footing so that home care workers can win the best wages, benefits and working conditions they can." AFSCME has 1.4 million members nationwide, including more than 120,000 members in California . For a copy of the ruling, please contact Blaine Rummel at 202-429-5082.   The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, is the nation's fastest growing public service employees union with 1.4 million member, including 120,000 members in Californias . AFSCME organizes for social and economic justice in the workplace and through political action and legislative advocacy. AFSCME represents a diverse group of service and health care workers in the public and private sectors including nurses, EMTs, bus drivers, child care workers, custodians and librarians.