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Judge Rules In Favor of SEIU to Halt Reduction in IHSS Worker Wages!

Xin Fong Huang- SEIU member

Xin Fong Huang- SEIU member

June 25, 2009

“I’m so proud to be a part of SEIU! The court’s ruling in our favor brings great hope to hundreds of thousands of home care workers and consumers, and sends a clear message to Sacramento that we will not stand by and let the state’s budget be balanced on the backs of our seniors, people with disabilities and those who care for them.”
- Xin Fong Huang, Alameda County IHSS Provider

STOP HOMECARE CUTS VIDEO

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE CUTS WILL HURT SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE CUTS WILL HURT SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

July 16th, 2009
(SACRAMENTO) -- SEIU criticized the actions of the Conference Committee on the Budget today, which included sharp reductions in the number of hours of assistance that home care clients will receive.

“Seniors and people with disabilities who rely on home care must be protected from cuts that threaten their independence and dignity,” said Dave Regan, SEIU Executive Vice President. “The Conference Committee failed to do that today, but we do not consider this the last word. We know that the public doesn’t want seniors and people with disabilities driven into nursing homes and home care workers pushed into poverty.”

While the Conference Committee rejected the Governor’s near-elimination of the In-Home Supportive Services Program (IHSS), it passed cuts totaling $117 million.

“Today’s vote to reduce home care consumers’ hours marks a sad day for California,” said Pam Hall, Los Angeles County Home Care Provider. ”These hours are a lifeline allowing consumers to live independently, and cutting them is just like letting go of a rescue line. We can’t let this happen to our seniors, people with disabilities and those who provide them care.”

SEIU has launched a full-scale campaign to fight the cuts in home care and other vital services and support a balanced approach with enough revenue to prevent deep and permanent damage to programs such as home care. In addition to an initial T.V. ad campaign of over $1 million, SEIU is encouraging Californians to weigh in for common sense budget at www.commonsense4ca.org.

“Most of us who provide home care are passionate about the program and the people it serves,” said John Campbell, Sacramento County Home Care Provider. “Unlike the Governor and the legislators, we know the real-life results of cutting hours. We will continue to speak out and take action until this vital program is completely protected.”

Members use 75,000 support cards to create STOP HOMECARE CUTS logo on Capitol steps

cardstitle

Today, June 15, members of SEIU 6434 and UHW made sure that our message to STOP HOMECARE CUTS was not only heard by Sacramento legislators, but also seen as Conference Committee members prepare to vote on the proposed cuts to IHSS this afternoon!

Thousands Gather in Downtown Los Angeles to Protest Drastic Cuts to State's Homecare Program

May22rally

May 22, 2009

Crowd sends a clear message to the Governor and Legislators that these cuts must be stopped as they will put lives at risk!

Obama Administration Rules Against California’s Proposed Wage Cuts to Homecare Workers

LOS ANGELES, CA— In a major victory for California’s 250,000 In-Home Supportive Service (IHSS) workers and the 440,000 seniors and people with disabilities who rely on IHSS for daily care, the Obama Administration has ruled that proposed cuts to the IHSS program violate the terms of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The ruling came after the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and its California affiliates, SEIU UHW and SEIU Local 6434, requested an opinion from Health and Human Services on whether California’s proposed cuts violate the maintenance of effort clause of the ARRA.

Citing a $40 billion budget deficit, the California State Legislature voted as part of its budget to lower its contribution toward homecare worker wages by a staggering 20 percent. The cuts that would lower the State’s contribution from $11.50 to $9.50 per hour are scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2009. However, under the terms of ARRA, states are blocked from reducing funding for existing services.

“The Obama Administration has made it clear that the State cannot cut the homecare workers’ wages. Now we need our counties to follow suit and take all the cuts off the table,” said SEIU Executive Vice President and SEIU UHW Trustee, Eliseo Medina.

“I am grateful that President Obama has taken a stand for us and the vital services we provide to seniors and people with disabilities,” said Michele Reed, a homecare worker and SEIU 6434 member in Los Angeles County.

ARRA has already made available close to $2 billion of the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) promised to California. The funding provides much needed financial assistance for counties struggling with huge budget deficits.

California’s In-Home Supportive Services program provides vital services to many of California’s most vulnerable citizens. The services provided by Homecare workers allow the elderly and people with disabilities to remain safely in their homes, reducing the need for more restrictive and costly institutional care – resulting in more than $1 billion in annual savings to the State of California.

Members rally in support of EFCA and against corporate excess

EFCA rally April 28

April 28, 2009

Today, April 28th, 2009, over 120 members and staff joined other SEIU locals and community partners at the LA City Council Chambers to watch and cheer as the LA City Council voted to pass a resolution in support of the Employee Free Choice Act.

SEIU Workers Unite in Solidarity on the Anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s Assassination

resize April 4th

April 04, 2009

On Saturday, April 4^th, fifty ULTCW Long Term Care workers and staff marched in solidarity with over 400 SEIU members, family, and friends on the anniversary of the day of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.

Members in Northern California stay active to fight Budget Cuts

On Friday, March 27th, in Northern California, the members and staff of our Local put on four separate actions to kick off our campaign against the State's cuts!

SEIU MEMBERS AND ALLIES RALLY TO STOP "TRIGGER" CUTS

If enacted, further cuts would destabilize home care for thousands of vulnerable seniors and people with disabilities, take away critical, often life-saving healthcare from 3 million Californians, slash our system of higher education even more, and take away from the meager financial support California provides to low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities.

San Bernardino Workers Save Health Plan!

On Tuesday, March 17, 2009, San Bernardino County IHSS workers returned to the Board of Supervisors to express their concern over the Public Authority’s desire to unilaterally change worker healthcare to a plan that would result in less coverage and higher out-of-pocket costs.

Hundreds of Homecare Workers and Allies Protest Proposed Detrimental Changes to Healthcare Plan in San Bernardino

SB rally March 10

March 10, 2009

San Bernardino, CA (March 10, 2009) – Today, hundreds of homecare workers and community allies turned out to protest proposed changes to the County homecare workers’ health plan.

SEIU-ULTCW members join UHW Solidarity Rally

uhw solidarity rally

February 26, 2009

On February 26th, over fifty SEIU-ULTCW long-term care members and staff drove to the SEIU-UHW Solidarity Rally in Commerce, CA. They came to show support for the Employee Free Choice Act, for reforming the healthcare system, and, most importantly, for a strong, united, and statewide long-term care union.

Los Angeles Homecare Movement Celebrates its 10th Anniversary!

On February 25, 1999, the dream that started with a few became reality for all as workers voted overwhelmingly to join SEIU 434-B. Nearly 80,000 Los Angeles County homecare workers celebrated their greatest victory over what started out as a dream shared by Verdia Daniels, Ophelia McFadden and other coworkers to have a unified voice that would demand better wages and respect through a collective bargaining agreement.

SEIU Long Term Care workers show solidarity in Fresno this Valentine's Day

Fresno Rally

February 14, 2009

Over 200 ULTCW long term care members, their families, and consumers drove to Fresno this Valentine's day to show their solidarity with their UHW brothers and sisters who are fighting for a new contract.

SEIU Members Rally in Front of Governor's Offices Statewide

February 13 Budget Rally 2

February 13, 2009

On Friday, February 13th, SEIU members – including long term care workers - rallied statewide in opposition to any potential budget cuts or spending caps. They demanded accountability and public input before decisions that affect the whole state are made.

1000 SEIU MEMBERS RALLY AT STATE CAPITOL

6434 member Pauline Beck calls on Governor to Walk A Day in the shoes of those impacted by delayed payments and cuts

January 23, 2009 - Nearly 1,000 SEIU members braved the elements and called on the Governor and a sleepy Capitol to wake up and treat our budget crisis with the urgency Californians deserve. Members spoke out about how payment delays caused by the lack of real budget solutions will hurt hundreds of thousands of California students, seniors, people with disabilities, and families in crisis in the coming months.

After a rally and press conference that drew most of the Sacramento television stations and a strong contingent of the Capitol press corps, members lobbied the offices of 70 Democrats in a targeted effort to communicate the urgency of solving the budget problem and insisted that real, new revenue be secured to pay for the programs California needs. SEIU lobbyists reported that legislative staff were abuzz about the energy and size of the SEIU lobby day, an event unprecedented at this time of year.

SEIU Local 6434 had more than 400 members attend, including Pauline Beck, a home care worker, who spoke out passionately on behalf of low-income seniors and people with disabilities who may be facing future delays with their SSI/SSP payments. Understanding firsthand as a home care worker how important these payments are to many IHSS recipients, Pauline put forth this challenge: “I am challenging Governor Schwarzenegger to Walk A Day in the shoes of those whose livelihoods are being hurt by not having a budget with real, new revenues!” Lobby visits and events in the Capitol and in districts are slated to continue as SEIU intensifies its campaign for real budget solutions.

SEIU 6434 Members Participate in STATE OF THE PEOPLE Event on steps of State Capitol

January 14, 2009 - Sacramento, CA – Today more than 230 members of SEIU 6434 joined our brothers and sisters and others being impacted by proposed budget cuts in Sacramento at an event that was titled “The State of The People” to report to elected leaders, the media and the public what they wouldn’t hear in the Governor’s State of the State speech.

With a record number of Californians losing their jobs, homes and healthcare, Californians attending the event stated that more budget cuts are exactly the WRONG prescription for the state’s economic woes.

The event featured the personal stories of Californians and how the worsening economy, proposed budget cuts, along with the prior $10 billion in cuts will impact their lives. Among the featured speaker was our very own SEIU 6434 member, Faye Herald from Oakland (pictured above).

Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg Returns IHSS Worker Call

After leaving four messages for California Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, Mendocino IHSS provider and member of ULTCW Georgie Bush recently got quite a surprise when her phone rang. It was the Senator returning her call.

“At first I thought it was a friend trying to pull a joke,” said Georgie. “The Senator kept saying ‘no, it’s really me…this is no joke’.”
Georgie Bush, a homecare provider for more than 30 years, had called the Senator four times – leaving messages that asked him to protect the IHSS program from the Governor’s proposed cuts.

“He said that he figured if I could take that much time out of my schedule to call him that many times, he should take the time out of his schedule to call me back,” stated Georgie. “He said he supports the IHSS program 100% and that we’re all doing God’s work.”

The Senator also stated that he wished he could return everyone’s call, but said he just doesn’t have the time to do that and get done all that needs to be done. He told Georgie that he understands why we’re fighting so hard to protect this lifeline service and that he’s behind us 100%!

CALIFORNIA SEIU MEMBERS TO FORM NATION’S LARGEST LONG TERM CARE UNION

New Political and Economic Heavyweight to Fight Cuts in Patient Care and Worker Pay

SEIU

WASHINGTON, DC—The International Executive Board of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) today voted overwhelmingly to adopt the recommendations of an outside hearing officer, based on a policy first established at the 2000 SEIU Convention eight years ago, to have home care and nursing home workers in three SEIU local unions in California unite into a single local union to create the nation’s largest and most powerful organization of long term care workers – 240,000 strong.

“The evolution of SEIU jurisdictional policy and practice since the 2000 SEIU Convention demonstrates a clear trend toward consolidating SEIU local unions on industrial and geographical lines,” wrote Leonard Page, former General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board, in his report to the IEB. “By implementing its jurisdictional policy, SEIU has been able to create local unions of the size and resources to successfully mount the organizing, political and collective bargaining campaigns that have delivered for members…. My recommendation is that, for the present, California long term care members should have their own SEIU local union devoted exclusively to the needs of these workers.”

The Board vote affirms a broad SEIU policy set by the elected representatives of SEIU members at its Convention in 2000 and re-affirmed in 2004. In June 2008, elected member delegates to SEIU Convention debated the specific issue of jurisdiction for our California long term care members and also voted overwhelmingly to apply the policy favoring consolidating long term care workers in each state into the same local union.

Hearing Officer Page’s recommendations follow a participatory three-year process in California after other efforts failed to provide the coordination, cooperation and unity of effort California’s long term care workers need.

“The success of SEIU was built through a series of tough choices we have made as a union since 1996,” said SEIU President Andy Stern. “Those choices have created a powerful voice for members and good jobs in our country. Uniting of workers who do the same type of work has successfully transformed local unions that once competed into stronger and powerful forces for change in members’ lives throughout the United States and Canada, and won big victories for our members who do some of the toughest and most important jobs for our society.”

The Jurisdictional Process

SEIU’s union-wide reforms of jurisdiction have been taking place since 1996. In 2000, delegates to the SEIU International Convention adopted the New Strength Unity Plan and the Union launched an aggressive restructuring program, breaking up old political fiefdoms in favor of uniting workers by industry and geography. Among the new locals created by the reorganizations was United Healthcare Workers-West (UHW), whose leaders actively supported the dissolution of Locals 399 and 250 in 2005 to create UHW, and which led to the appointment of Sal Rosselli as the President. Organizational reforms increased political strength and bargaining power for SEIU members in Florida, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Illinois, Washington, and California.

The current process of determining long term care jurisdiction in California began in 2006 when long term care workers were reorganized in a manner that left them divided among three locals: United Healthcare Workers-West (UHW), Local 521, and United Long Term Care Workers Local 6434. At the time, the IEB recommended that SEIU reexamine the question of whether representation of long term care workers by 3 local unions was working to the detriment of home care workers. After several years of failed voluntary efforts at working together, hearings were held in May and July 2008 on what could strengthen the power of long term care workers. Testimony was given by members, each of the locals and from the Long Term Care Division of SEIU Healthcare.

“This reorganization will make us one of the most powerful forces in California, with the strength to win at the bargaining table and demand meaningful budget reform in Sacramento,” said Christy Brooks, a UHW home care worker in Santa Rosa.

The Challenge in California

The decision to unite all long term care workers into one unified local couldn't come at a more critical moment. With California‘s budget crisis and the sweeping cuts Gov. Schwarzenegger has proposed to the IHSS home care program and other critical long term care funding, long term care workers in the state are facing cuts in hours for home care consumers and rollbacks of gains they have earned in pay back to minimum wage. Under the reorganization, California long term care workers will be among the most powerful political and economic forces in the state – positioned to fight draconian budget and wage cuts and to press for meaningful long term budget solutions in Sacramento.

“California can't afford to keep cutting schools, healthcare, and other vital services,” said Michele Reed, an LA County home care worker and member of 6434. “We can no longer organize ourselves based on protecting old political turf. We need the strength that comes with unity.”

The Next Steps

The Union has charged Executive Vice President Eliseo Medina and Michael Holland, an attorney with experience implementing union reorganizations, to work with locals to draw up an implementation plan and timeline that makes sense for the workers. They will present recommendations to SEIU President Andy Stern within 30 days. No jurisdictional change will be implemented before that time.

“The IEB’s decision is based on honoring the decisions our members made in Puerto Rico last June and in conventions past. The principles of democracy are about respecting the will of the majority while protecting the voice of the minority. At SEIU, our leaders have the responsibility to follow the will of our members,” said Stern. “We know change is sometimes hard in the short run, but our record of success confirms members in long term care do better together.

“We now look forward to the enormous opportunities we have to make change that works for California and for this country. We need to solve the budget shortfalls facing our state and local governments. We need to make sure every man, woman and child has health care. We need workers to have a free choice in the job, we need meaningful economic recovery for families, and we need to bring hardworking taxpaying immigrants out of shadows to become citizens. Now is the time to get to work and change this country.”

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With 2 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare, and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers, not just corporations and CEOs, benefit from today's global economy.

The Results are In!

option a 275

We have great news!

On Thursday (Dec 11th), the advisory vote ballots were counted and our voice was heard!

Option A was the clear choice of long term care workers throughout California.

Our support for Option A sends a clear message that long term care workers want to unite into a single statewide union – 230,000 members strong – that will give us the strength necessary to save California homecare and protect nursing home funding.

Now that they have received our overwhelming recommendation for Option A, the International Executive Board will be meeting in early January as they make the final decision on how we will be organized.

Congratulations to everyone who voted and made our voice heard!

» Click to see larger image

California SEIU Members Support Single Union Uniting Long-Term Care Workers

testifying xs

LOS ANGELES— SEIU announced today that its California healthcare members have voted to support the creation of a single local uniting the state’s long term care workers.

The International Executive Board (IEB), SEIU’s highest democratically-elected decision-making body, will weigh the results of the non-binding advisory vote next month as it considers reforms designed to strengthen the representation of California long term care workers.

More Pictures from the Option A Action Center

SEIU California State Council Launches TV Ad

SEIU California State Council launches TV ads calling for a state budget with stable revenue to prevent more cuts to education and healthcare. Click here to learn more.

LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VILVyC3QiDM

Trusteeship Update

On August 22, the Executive Board of SEIU Local 6434 requested that the International Union impose a trusteeship on the Local due to serious allegations regarding the union’s finances. At that time, all officers of the Local were removed and John Ronches was appointed as the Trustee to oversee all operations and finances.

On Thursday, October 23, SEIU’s International Executive Board voted in favor of the hearing officer’s recommendation to continue the trusteeship of SEIU Local 6434. What this means is that the Local will continue to operate under the direction of John Ronches in accordance with the constitution and bylaws of SEIU International. Under Federal Labor Law, trusteeships are presumed valid for 18 months after which time they may be continued if necessary. After the problems leading to the Trusteeship have been corrected, elections will be held to determine the new officers.

Under the trusteeship, the union continues to operate with full dedication to winning for its members!

Any member who would like a copy of the hearing officer’s decision mailed to them may do so by calling the Membership Satisfaction Department at 888-373-3018.

SEIU Hearing on Charges Against Tyrone Freeman (Oct 27-29)

The SEIU hearing regarding charges brought against Tyrone Freeman will be taking place on October 27, 28, and 29th. The hearing will be held at the Manhattan Beach Marriott, located at 1400 Parkview Avenue, Manhattan Beach, California 90266. In keeping with SEIU’s tradition of openness, the Hearing Officer will permit members to attend the hearing to observe the proceedings. There is no role for members to speak, unless called as a witness by the Trustee or former President Freeman.

Message From President Stern

Andy Stern

Please read the following message from SEIU President Andy Stern:

Message From

Message From Andy Stern

Kindred Workers Demand a Better Deal

Your Bargaining Committee met with Kindred Tuesday, November 18th to continue to hammer out a new contract.

The workers - who represent Kindred employees from across California -- have several demands.

Long-Term Care Workers Celebrate Victory and Involvement in Several Elections Throughout California

One week after historic voter turnouts, members of SEIU Local 6434 – the United Long-Term Care Workers’ Union (ULTCW) and its sister organization, California United Homecare Workers (CUHW), are still celebrating the victories of several political races throughout California in which its members played key roles in their success.

Weekend Walk for Obama in Nevada

Obama Walk

Members from SEIU Local 6434 throughout Southern and Northern California traveled to Reno, Nevada, to campaign for Barack Obama the weekend of October 25 and 26th. It was an extraordinary journey. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits and ready to go.

Nursing Home Caregivers, Patients Win Improvements

LOS ANGELES (October 30, 2008) Members of SEIU 6434, United Long-Term Care Workers’ Union have negotiated new collective bargaining agreements that will make improvements for hundreds of caregivers and the residents in their care at several California nursing homes.

Alliance for a Stronger Community to Support Mark Ridley-Thomas for Los Angeles County Supervisor

Jerry Jackson

SEIU members, staff and volunteers gathered in Culver City to support the Alliance for a Stronger Community. The Alliance is supporting democratic candidate Mark Ridley-Thomas for Los Angeles County Supervisor, District 2 in the upcoming November 4th election.

People's Convention Demands Action On Budget

Protest

A crowd of over 1,200 made up of disability advocate groups, senior groups, the United Long Term Care Workers Union and a host of other SEIU locals gathered on Monday (Sept. 15) to speak out against California's stalling budget crisis.

Homecare Worker Pauline Beck Featured In San Francisco Chronicle

Obama left lasting impression on one-day boss

Check out the story in Monday's Chronicle:

Pauline Beck and Barack Obama.

Seniors Meet to Build Bridges and Get More Involved

Seniors from Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties met at the Alexander Hughes Community Center in Claremont on Tuesday, August 12, 2008, as the ULTCW Seniors Association convened as part of a continuing effort to get seniors involved in their community.

Bass to Republicans: It's time to work together

Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and Assemblymember Warren Furutani hosted a packed-house town hall forum at Cal State University - Dominguez Hills Tuesday night, calling on Republican legislators to step up and sign the budget Democrats have proposed.

» Watch video & read more

Workers Honor Fabian Núñez

Roberta

On Thursday, July 24th, homecare providers and nursing home workers gathered to break bread with their friend, Fabian Nunez, and to thank him for his tireless efforts on behalf of quality long-term care.

Mr. Nunez is the outgoing speaker of the California State Assembly.
Watch the video!

ULTCW To Be Honored At Annual Unity Awards

The West Angeles Community Development Corporation will honor SEIU-ULTCW as its “Community Unity Award” recipient at its 2009 Unity Awards Benefit held at the West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles on Feb. 5, 2009.

Members in Northern California stay active to fight Budget Cuts

On Friday, March 27th, in Northern California, the members and staff of our Local put on four separate actions to kick off our campaign against the State's cuts!

Keep the pressure on the Legislature to STOP THE CUTS to the IHSS program

SuperSmallLogoBudgetCuts

May 22 – 12 NOON
Assembly Speaker Karen Bass’ Office
300 S. Spring Street – Downtown LA

STOP THE GOVERNOR

Budget Ad

United Long-Term Care Workers' Union stands in solidarity with public sector workers in opposition to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's illegal and unfair plan to slash worker pay and lay off tens of thousands.

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