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2 3 5 CAMPAIGN UPDATE The latest on our efforts to end IHSS cuts, and more 2015 CONVENTION The future of homecare starts today OUR STORIES IHSS caregivers and clients speak out IHSS PROVIDERS ARE SPEAKING OUT TO RESTORE HOURS OF CARE FOR OUR CLIENTS Pictured: Della Lundell, an IHSS provider from Merced County, with her son Steven.

Caregiver Spring 2015 - English

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Page 1: Caregiver Spring 2015 - English

Dear Fellow IHSS Providers,

This year at our 15th Constitutional Convention, UDW homecare providers were honored to be joined by several members of our sister union California United Homecare Workers (CUHW). At convention, we had the pleasure of

announcing that soon CUHW members from several rural counties across California will be joining our union!

As you know, recent attacks against homecare mean that standing together is more important than ever. By joining UDW, our CUHW brothers and sisters will receive much needed resources, additional staff assistance, and support. In return, we will be growing our union and will be stronger to protect IHSS and our loved ones.

I want to personally welcome CUHW members into UDW’s ranks. We will do everything in our power to ensure that members of CUHW have a smooth transition as they join UDW, and a member advisory committee has been established to engage our new brothers and sisters where they live. I hope you join me in welcoming CUHW providers to our union.

We are stronger together!

In unity,Editha Adams, Caregiver and UDW President

4855 Seminole Drive San Diego, CA 92115800-621-5016

facebook.com/UDW

UDW welcomes more IHSS providers to our union

2 3 5CAMPAIGN UPDATE The latest on our efforts to end IHSS cuts, and more

2015 CONVENTION The future of homecare starts today

OUR STORIES IHSS caregivers and clients speak out

IHSS PROVIDERS ARE

SPEAKING OUT TO

RESTORE HOURS OF

CARE FOR OUR CLIENTS

Pictured: Della Lundell, an IHSS provider from Merced County, with her son Steven.

Stay updated with the latest news at www.udwa.org!

UDW’s 15th Constitutional Convention

This year, over 150 elected delegates and guests joined us in Sacramento for our 15th Constitutional Convention, The Future of Homecare Starts Today. At convention, we dug in deep to discuss the challenges facing IHSS providers and how we can strengthen our movement to win positive changes. You can read more about the convention at www.udwa.org.

To see photos from UDW’s 2015 convention, visit www.flickr.com/udwphotos

Delegates of UDW’s 15th Constitutional Convention in Sacramento.

For the full President’s Report visit www.udwa.org.

“This convention provided an important chance

for IHSS providers to get together to discuss the

future of homecare. It was great to be around fellow caregivers and to share

stories about the work we do.” – Monica Zúñiga, San Diego Caregiver and UDW Delegate

Convention delegates took a Zumba

dance break to have some fun.

UDW’s 2015 Convention wrapped up with a gala

in honor of our member organizers who have

worked tirelessly over the past year to help their

fellow IHSS providers and build our union—

signing up nearly 30,000 members!

“It’s up to us today, right now, to work

toward a better future for homecare.

Our clients deserve it. Our families deserve

it. And we deserve it.”

– UDW Executive Director Doug Moore

UDW Executive Director Doug Moore with CUHW homecare providers who will soon be joining UDW.

As part of the AFL-CIO’s Solidarity Center exchange program, international domestic workers from as far away as South Africa and Hong Kong joined us for a discussion about the challenges facing in-home workers across the globe, from unequal treatment to extreme levels of exploitation.

3

At convention, we voted on resolutions to support our values of community, dignity, and respect for all workers.

Page 2: Caregiver Spring 2015 - English

About three years ago, my husband was diagnosed with severe diabetes, and started to lose his eyesight. Shortly after that he

fell ill with pneumonia, which triggered a syndrome called Guillain–Barré that impairs his mobility.

Today I provide full-time care for my husband and another client outside our home. I make sure both of my clients have everything they need and support them so they can live with freedom and independence. Many people who need care—not just my clients—want to be at home. They want to be with their loved ones. In their communities.

And yet, for the life-saving care homecare workers like us provide—making sure our clients take the right meds, monitoring their vitals, preparing their meals, taking them to their doctor’s appointments, helping them with their daily exercises—I am paid less than $10 an hour. We save the government billions of dollars a year, and for

that we are rewarded with poverty wages. No paid sick leave. Cuts to our clients’ hours of care. We can’t even collectively bargain at the state level, which means our pay and benefits vary dramatically by county.

It’s shameful that in 2015 there is a class of workers who are denied basic rights and protections like a minimum wage and overtime pay, and it’s time that the state of California do what is right and support equality and justice for homecare workers.

2 4

A living wage. Overtime pay. Paid sick leave. Retirement benefits. For most Americans, these and other basic worker protections

exist to ensure security and stability for hardworking families.

But as caregivers, we are wholly excluded from these protections, and live with a 7% cut to our state’s homecare program that unfairly impacts our wages and our clients’ hours of care.

Meet Della Lundell, a UDW caregiver from Merced County. She, like so many of us, is fighting for equality and justice for homecare in 2015 by sharing her story.

Her son Steven is 24 years old and lives with Down syndrome. He receives the maximum number of hours available through IHSS and requires round-the-clock assistance with everyday tasks. He is non-verbal and he cannot chew or dress or bathe himself. If left alone, he could wander off or get hurt.

When Steven turned 18, Della’s husband lost his second job. IHSS became a lifesaver for their family.

But continued cuts and a delay in the implementation of overtime pay has had an impact on Della and her family: “I am expected to be a productive member of society and pay my bills. This is very difficult to do when our income keeps vanishing. We have to worry every time we check the mail.”

On March 11, Della took her story—the same story

that many IHSS providers and our families share—to the Capitol, speaking in front of a legislative budget committee. “On average,” Della told legislators, “the annual IHSS per-client cost is 80% less than care at a skilled nursing facility. If I worked at a skilled nursing facility or for a fast food restaurant for that matter, putting in the hours I do, I would be paid overtime.”

The final budget and decision to end the 7% cut to IHSS will happen by mid-June. We still have a lot of work to do before these rights become a reality. UDW caregivers and our clients continue to testify and share our stories with elected leaders and community members, gathering support for our fight and gearing up for the challenges ahead.

On the fight to restore overtime pay for IHSS providers, we continue to pressure the Brown Administration to do the right thing. A hearing to appeal the federal court ruling is expected in May, and we will keep you posted on the latest news.

On March 19th, we put the state of California on trial for its unjust treatment of homecare providers and clients. San Diego homecare worker LaTanya Cline, along with Chantal Morris, an IHSS client from El Dorado County, were on hand to share their

stories in front of a panel of jurors. You can watch their testimonies in full at www.udwa.org.

Stand with IHSS providers and clients by contacting your local UDW office to get involved.Take Action

UDW CAREGIVERS ARE CAMPAIGNING TO END CUTS TO IHSS AND WIN EQUAL RIGHTS

“Caregivers sacrifice so much to make

sure our clients get the best care

possible. It’s about time the governor hears our voices.”

— Della Lundell,IHSS provider,

Merced County

Speaking out for homecare

IHSS provider Della Lundell with her son Steven at their Merced County home.

In February, hundreds of providers held a vigil at the Capitol and delivered over 10,000 petition

signatures to the Governor.

In the month of February,

caregivers held daily vigils outside of Governor

Brown’s office.

At March budget hearings, caregivers

like Roxanne Bender of

El Dorado County testified about

the injustices we face.

On February 11th, IHSS providers filed wage theft claims against the State after being denied overtime pay.

In March, thousands of people from

around the country watched as we put

the State on trial for its unjust treatment of

homecare providers and clients.

LaTanya Cline, IHSS Provider, San Diego County

My story starts 20 years ago, when I was eight months pregnant with my daughter, Rachelle, and suffered an unexpected aneurism. I was leaking

blood into my brain, went blind, and passed out. When I woke up I learned that I needed to have immediate surgery to clip the aneurism, a scary thing when you are pregnant! But, thank goodness, Rachelle survived the surgery—only the sixth baby in California’s history to do so. We were both happy and healthy, or so I thought.

In 2004, I went to the doctor with what I thought were just gallstones, and learned that I was in stage four liver failure. It turns

out that I had contracted hepatitis C at the hospital where I had my aneurism removed, and lived with it for 20 years without ever knowing. I was told I only had one year to live.

Right away, I enrolled in IHSS, through which I receive care from my best friend Mark. I was lucky enough to get a liver transplant, and today I am negative for hepatitis C. I am feeling stronger and better than ever, but there is still much I cannot do. Homecare keeps me out of the hospital. When seniors and people with disabilities and illness can receive quality care at home, they are happier and healthier.

I think my story is proof positive that this program is important for everyone. Anyone could need homecare someday—whether you have an accident, get sick, or simply need help as you age. We need to invest in this program, so it’s available when we need it. And we need to invest in our workers, so they are there to do the job when we need them most.

REVENUE & EXPENSES FOR PERIOD ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2014

Chantal Morris, IHSS Client, El Dorado County

Page 3: Caregiver Spring 2015 - English

About three years ago, my husband was diagnosed with severe diabetes, and started to lose his eyesight. Shortly after that he

fell ill with pneumonia, which triggered a syndrome called Guillain–Barré that impairs his mobility.

Today I provide full-time care for my husband and another client outside our home. I make sure both of my clients have everything they need and support them so they can live with freedom and independence. Many people who need care—not just my clients—want to be at home. They want to be with their loved ones. In their communities.

And yet, for the life-saving care homecare workers like us provide—making sure our clients take the right meds, monitoring their vitals, preparing their meals, taking them to their doctor’s appointments, helping them with their daily exercises—I am paid less than $10 an hour. We save the government billions of dollars a year, and for

that we are rewarded with poverty wages. No paid sick leave. Cuts to our clients’ hours of care. We can’t even collectively bargain at the state level, which means our pay and benefits vary dramatically by county.

It’s shameful that in 2015 there is a class of workers who are denied basic rights and protections like a minimum wage and overtime pay, and it’s time that the state of California do what is right and support equality and justice for homecare workers.

2 4

A living wage. Overtime pay. Paid sick leave. Retirement benefits. For most Americans, these and other basic worker protections

exist to ensure security and stability for hardworking families.

But as caregivers, we are wholly excluded from these protections, and live with a 7% cut to our state’s homecare program that unfairly impacts our wages and our clients’ hours of care.

Meet Della Lundell, a UDW caregiver from Merced County. She, like so many of us, is fighting for equality and justice for homecare in 2015 by sharing her story.

Her son Steven is 24 years old and lives with Down syndrome. He receives the maximum number of hours available through IHSS and requires round-the-clock assistance with everyday tasks. He is non-verbal and he cannot chew or dress or bathe himself. If left alone, he could wander off or get hurt.

When Steven turned 18, Della’s husband lost his second job. IHSS became a lifesaver for their family.

But continued cuts and a delay in the implementation of overtime pay has had an impact on Della and her family: “I am expected to be a productive member of society and pay my bills. This is very difficult to do when our income keeps vanishing. We have to worry every time we check the mail.”

On March 11, Della took her story—the same story

that many IHSS providers and our families share—to the Capitol, speaking in front of a legislative budget committee. “On average,” Della told legislators, “the annual IHSS per-client cost is 80% less than care at a skilled nursing facility. If I worked at a skilled nursing facility or for a fast food restaurant for that matter, putting in the hours I do, I would be paid overtime.”

The final budget and decision to end the 7% cut to IHSS will happen by mid-June. We still have a lot of work to do before these rights become a reality. UDW caregivers and our clients continue to testify and share our stories with elected leaders and community members, gathering support for our fight and gearing up for the challenges ahead.

On the fight to restore overtime pay for IHSS providers, we continue to pressure the Brown Administration to do the right thing. A hearing to appeal the federal court ruling is expected in May, and we will keep you posted on the latest news.

On March 19th, we put the state of California on trial for its unjust treatment of homecare providers and clients. San Diego homecare worker LaTanya Cline, along with Chantal Morris, an IHSS client from El Dorado County, were on hand to share their

stories in front of a panel of jurors. You can watch their testimonies in full at www.udwa.org.

Stand with IHSS providers and clients by contacting your local UDW office to get involved.Take Action

UDW CAREGIVERS ARE CAMPAIGNING TO END CUTS TO IHSS AND WIN EQUAL RIGHTS

“Caregivers sacrifice so much to make

sure our clients get the best care

possible. It’s about time the governor hears our voices.”

— Della Lundell,IHSS provider,

Merced County

Speaking out for homecare

IHSS provider Della Lundell with her son Steven at their Merced County home.

In February, hundreds of providers held a vigil at the Capitol and delivered over 10,000 petition

signatures to the Governor.

In the month of February,

caregivers held daily vigils outside of Governor

Brown’s office.

At March budget hearings, caregivers

like Roxanne Bender of

El Dorado County testified about

the injustices we face.

On February 11th, IHSS providers filed wage theft claims against the State after being denied overtime pay.

In March, thousands of people from

around the country watched as we put

the State on trial for its unjust treatment of

homecare providers and clients.

LaTanya Cline, IHSS Provider, San Diego County

My story starts 20 years ago, when I was eight months pregnant with my daughter, Rachelle, and suffered an unexpected aneurism. I was leaking

blood into my brain, went blind, and passed out. When I woke up I learned that I needed to have immediate surgery to clip the aneurism, a scary thing when you are pregnant! But, thank goodness, Rachelle survived the surgery—only the sixth baby in California’s history to do so. We were both happy and healthy, or so I thought.

In 2004, I went to the doctor with what I thought were just gallstones, and learned that I was in stage four liver failure. It turns

out that I had contracted hepatitis C at the hospital where I had my aneurism removed, and lived with it for 20 years without ever knowing. I was told I only had one year to live.

Right away, I enrolled in IHSS, through which I receive care from my best friend Mark. I was lucky enough to get a liver transplant, and today I am negative for hepatitis C. I am feeling stronger and better than ever, but there is still much I cannot do. Homecare keeps me out of the hospital. When seniors and people with disabilities and illness can receive quality care at home, they are happier and healthier.

I think my story is proof positive that this program is important for everyone. Anyone could need homecare someday—whether you have an accident, get sick, or simply need help as you age. We need to invest in this program, so it’s available when we need it. And we need to invest in our workers, so they are there to do the job when we need them most.

REVENUE & EXPENSES FOR PERIOD ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2014

Chantal Morris, IHSS Client, El Dorado County

Page 4: Caregiver Spring 2015 - English

Dear Fellow IHSS Providers,

This year at our 15th Constitutional Convention, UDW homecare providers were honored to be joined by several members of our sister union California United Homecare Workers (CUHW). At convention, we had the pleasure of

announcing that soon CUHW members from several rural counties across California will be joining our union!

As you know, recent attacks against homecare mean that standing together is more important than ever. By joining UDW, our CUHW brothers and sisters will receive much needed resources, additional staff assistance, and support. In return, we will be growing our union and will be stronger to protect IHSS and our loved ones.

I want to personally welcome CUHW members into UDW’s ranks. We will do everything in our power to ensure that members of CUHW have a smooth transition as they join UDW, and a member advisory committee has been established to engage our new brothers and sisters where they live. I hope you join me in welcoming CUHW providers to our union.

We are stronger together!

In unity,Editha Adams, Caregiver and UDW President

4855 Seminole Drive San Diego, CA 92115800-621-5016

facebook.com/UDW

UDW welcomes more IHSS providers to our union

2 3 5CAMPAIGN UPDATE The latest on our efforts to end IHSS cuts, and more

2015 CONVENTION The future of homecare starts today

OUR STORIES IHSS caregivers and clients speak out

IHSS PROVIDERS ARE

SPEAKING OUT TO

RESTORE HOURS OF

CARE FOR OUR CLIENTS

Pictured: Della Lundell, an IHSS provider from Merced County, with her son Steven.

Stay updated with the latest news at www.udwa.org!

UDW’s 15th Constitutional Convention

This year, over 150 elected delegates and guests joined us in Sacramento for our 15th Constitutional Convention, The Future of Homecare Starts Today. At convention, we dug in deep to discuss the challenges facing IHSS providers and how we can strengthen our movement to win positive changes. You can read more about the convention at www.udwa.org.

To see photos from UDW’s 2015 convention, visit www.flickr.com/udwphotos

Delegates of UDW’s 15th Constitutional Convention in Sacramento.

For the full President’s Report visit www.udwa.org.

“This convention provided an important chance

for IHSS providers to get together to discuss the

future of homecare. It was great to be around fellow caregivers and to share

stories about the work we do.” – Monica Zúñiga, San Diego Caregiver and UDW Delegate

Convention delegates took a Zumba

dance break to have some fun.

UDW’s 2015 Convention wrapped up with a gala

in honor of our member organizers who have

worked tirelessly over the past year to help their

fellow IHSS providers and build our union—

signing up nearly 30,000 members!

“It’s up to us today, right now, to work

toward a better future for homecare.

Our clients deserve it. Our families deserve

it. And we deserve it.”

– UDW Executive Director Doug Moore

UDW Executive Director Doug Moore with CUHW homecare providers who will soon be joining UDW.

As part of the AFL-CIO’s Solidarity Center exchange program, international domestic workers from as far away as South Africa and Hong Kong joined us for a discussion about the challenges facing in-home workers across the globe, from unequal treatment to extreme levels of exploitation.

3

At convention, we voted on resolutions to support our values of community, dignity, and respect for all workers.

Page 5: Caregiver Spring 2015 - English

About three years ago, my husband was diagnosed with severe diabetes, and started to lose his eyesight. Shortly after that he

fell ill with pneumonia, which triggered a syndrome called Guillain–Barré that impairs his mobility.

Today I provide full-time care for my husband and another client outside our home. I make sure both of my clients have everything they need and support them so they can live with freedom and independence. Many people who need care—not just my clients—want to be at home. They want to be with their loved ones. In their communities.

And yet, for the life-saving care homecare workers like us provide—making sure our clients take the right meds, monitoring their vitals, preparing their meals, taking them to their doctor’s appointments, helping them with their daily exercises—I am paid less than $10 an hour. We save the government billions of dollars a year, and for

that we are rewarded with poverty wages. No paid sick leave. Cuts to our clients’ hours of care. We can’t even collectively bargain at the state level, which means our pay and benefits vary dramatically by county.

It’s shameful that in 2015 there is a class of workers who are denied basic rights and protections like a minimum wage and overtime pay, and it’s time that the state of California do what is right and support equality and justice for homecare workers.

2 4

A living wage. Overtime pay. Paid sick leave. Retirement benefits. For most Americans, these and other basic worker protections

exist to ensure security and stability for hardworking families.

But as caregivers, we are wholly excluded from these protections, and live with a 7% cut to our state’s homecare program that unfairly impacts our wages and our clients’ hours of care.

Meet Della Lundell, a UDW caregiver from Merced County. She, like so many of us, is fighting for equality and justice for homecare in 2015 by sharing her story.

Her son Steven is 24 years old and lives with Down syndrome. He receives the maximum number of hours available through IHSS and requires round-the-clock assistance with everyday tasks. He is non-verbal and he cannot chew or dress or bathe himself. If left alone, he could wander off or get hurt.

When Steven turned 18, Della’s husband lost his second job. IHSS became a lifesaver for their family.

But continued cuts and a delay in the implementation of overtime pay has had an impact on Della and her family: “I am expected to be a productive member of society and pay my bills. This is very difficult to do when our income keeps vanishing. We have to worry every time we check the mail.”

On March 11, Della took her story—the same story

that many IHSS providers and our families share—to the Capitol, speaking in front of a legislative budget committee. “On average,” Della told legislators, “the annual IHSS per-client cost is 80% less than care at a skilled nursing facility. If I worked at a skilled nursing facility or for a fast food restaurant for that matter, putting in the hours I do, I would be paid overtime.”

The final budget and decision to end the 7% cut to IHSS will happen by mid-June. We still have a lot of work to do before these rights become a reality. UDW caregivers and our clients continue to testify and share our stories with elected leaders and community members, gathering support for our fight and gearing up for the challenges ahead.

On the fight to restore overtime pay for IHSS providers, we continue to pressure the Brown Administration to do the right thing. A hearing to appeal the federal court ruling is expected in May, and we will keep you posted on the latest news.

On March 19th, we put the state of California on trial for its unjust treatment of homecare providers and clients. San Diego homecare worker LaTanya Cline, along with Chantal Morris, an IHSS client from El Dorado County, were on hand to share their

stories in front of a panel of jurors. You can watch their testimonies in full at www.udwa.org.

Stand with IHSS providers and clients by contacting your local UDW office to get involved.Take Action

UDW CAREGIVERS ARE CAMPAIGNING TO END CUTS TO IHSS AND WIN EQUAL RIGHTS

“Caregivers sacrifice so much to make

sure our clients get the best care

possible. It’s about time the governor hears our voices.”

— Della Lundell,IHSS provider,

Merced County

Speaking out for homecare

IHSS provider Della Lundell with her son Steven at their Merced County home.

In February, hundreds of providers held a vigil at the Capitol and delivered over 10,000 petition

signatures to the Governor.

In the month of February,

caregivers held daily vigils outside of Governor

Brown’s office.

At March budget hearings, caregivers

like Roxanne Bender of

El Dorado County testified about

the injustices we face.

On February 11th, IHSS providers filed wage theft claims against the State after being denied overtime pay.

In March, thousands of people from

around the country watched as we put

the State on trial for its unjust treatment of

homecare providers and clients.

LaTanya Cline, IHSS Provider, San Diego County

My story starts 20 years ago, when I was eight months pregnant with my daughter, Rachelle, and suffered an unexpected aneurism. I was leaking

blood into my brain, went blind, and passed out. When I woke up I learned that I needed to have immediate surgery to clip the aneurism, a scary thing when you are pregnant! But, thank goodness, Rachelle survived the surgery—only the sixth baby in California’s history to do so. We were both happy and healthy, or so I thought.

In 2004, I went to the doctor with what I thought were just gallstones, and learned that I was in stage four liver failure. It turns

out that I had contracted hepatitis C at the hospital where I had my aneurism removed, and lived with it for 20 years without ever knowing. I was told I only had one year to live.

Right away, I enrolled in IHSS, through which I receive care from my best friend Mark. I was lucky enough to get a liver transplant, and today I am negative for hepatitis C. I am feeling stronger and better than ever, but there is still much I cannot do. Homecare keeps me out of the hospital. When seniors and people with disabilities and illness can receive quality care at home, they are happier and healthier.

I think my story is proof positive that this program is important for everyone. Anyone could need homecare someday—whether you have an accident, get sick, or simply need help as you age. We need to invest in this program, so it’s available when we need it. And we need to invest in our workers, so they are there to do the job when we need them most.

REVENUE & EXPENSES FOR PERIOD ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2014

Chantal Morris, IHSS Client, El Dorado County

Page 6: Caregiver Spring 2015 - English

Dear Fellow IHSS Providers,

This year at our 15th Constitutional Convention, UDW homecare providers were honored to be joined by several members of our sister union California United Homecare Workers (CUHW). At convention, we had the pleasure of

announcing that soon CUHW members from several rural counties across California will be joining our union!

As you know, recent attacks against homecare mean that standing together is more important than ever. By joining UDW, our CUHW brothers and sisters will receive much needed resources, additional staff assistance, and support. In return, we will be growing our union and will be stronger to protect IHSS and our loved ones.

I want to personally welcome CUHW members into UDW’s ranks. We will do everything in our power to ensure that members of CUHW have a smooth transition as they join UDW, and a member advisory committee has been established to engage our new brothers and sisters where they live. I hope you join me in welcoming CUHW providers to our union.

We are stronger together!

In unity,Editha Adams, Caregiver and UDW President

4855 Seminole Drive San Diego, CA 92115800-621-5016

facebook.com/UDW

UDW welcomes more IHSS providers to our union

2 3 5CAMPAIGN UPDATE The latest on our efforts to end IHSS cuts, and more

2015 CONVENTION The future of homecare starts today

OUR STORIES IHSS caregivers and clients speak out

IHSS PROVIDERS ARE

SPEAKING OUT TO

RESTORE HOURS OF

CARE FOR OUR CLIENTS

Pictured: Della Lundell, an IHSS provider from Merced County, with her son Steven.

Stay updated with the latest news at www.udwa.org!

UDW’s 15th Constitutional Convention

This year, over 150 elected delegates and guests joined us in Sacramento for our 15th Constitutional Convention, The Future of Homecare Starts Today. At convention, we dug in deep to discuss the challenges facing IHSS providers and how we can strengthen our movement to win positive changes. You can read more about the convention at www.udwa.org.

To see photos from UDW’s 2015 convention, visit www.flickr.com/udwphotos

Delegates of UDW’s 15th Constitutional Convention in Sacramento.

For the full President’s Report visit www.udwa.org.

“This convention provided an important chance

for IHSS providers to get together to discuss the

future of homecare. It was great to be around fellow caregivers and to share

stories about the work we do.” – Monica Zúñiga, San Diego Caregiver and UDW Delegate

Convention delegates took a Zumba

dance break to have some fun.

UDW’s 2015 Convention wrapped up with a gala

in honor of our member organizers who have

worked tirelessly over the past year to help their

fellow IHSS providers and build our union—

signing up nearly 30,000 members!

“It’s up to us today, right now, to work

toward a better future for homecare.

Our clients deserve it. Our families deserve

it. And we deserve it.”

– UDW Executive Director Doug Moore

UDW Executive Director Doug Moore with CUHW homecare providers who will soon be joining UDW.

As part of the AFL-CIO’s Solidarity Center exchange program, international domestic workers from as far away as South Africa and Hong Kong joined us for a discussion about the challenges facing in-home workers across the globe, from unequal treatment to extreme levels of exploitation.

3

At convention, we voted on resolutions to support our values of community, dignity, and respect for all workers.