Reaching Out to 120,000 Members

Long-term care workers doing their part.

The Reach Every Member Tent is one of the places where progressive action takes place. The immense tent is located at the parking lot of SEIU-ULTCW building, allowing hundreds of dedicated Long-term Care Workers to make calls. At the entrance of the tent, meters of telephone lines are installed for members to use. The workers inside the tent are a very diverse group, everyone is friendly with one another. They each can relate with one another due to their similarities. Not only do they work the same jobs but they also have the same passion for the Union.

ULTCW members are calling every member in Los Angeles County and talking to them about the benefits of the union and answering any questions they might have. The stronger they are, the easier it is to fight for their well-deserved wages. REM workers also make sure the members know about the budget cuts proposed by the Governor and make sure that they know they can do something about it. As the workers talk to the members, the more they have the opportunity to express how they feel and voice any complaints to be heard and taken care of.

Andrew Predom, who is a long time union activist, believes that this is a great opportunity for every member to do their part and give back to the union. He is a member who truly believes in the union. He has been working for SEIU-ULTCW Union for three years and he expressed how exciting the growth of this non-profit organization has been. “Back then we had no benefits, but now since Mr. Freeman became president, we have more benefits than before. It’s not a lot, but it’s more” Andrew said. When asked what is the purpose of their participation, Valentina Ioselevich, another REM worker, simply replied, “I’m happy to be here because I’m with people I can relate to and I feel comfortable.” Many members like Andrew Predom and Valentina Ioselevich, simply get satisfaction by watching the Union grow and know they did something to make it grow.

At this moment, many long-term care workers are still on task inside the action tent giving their time to reach every member. By mid-August they will have accomplished their goal and will have called at least 120,000 ULTCW members. With that many members reached and informed, SEIU-ULTCW workers expect their members to be enriched with knowledge and have full understanding of their benefits as Long-term Care Workers.