UDW gives backIn November we celebrated caregivers! From provider appreciation events to Thanksgiving turkey giveaways and special surprises caught on video, we thanked IHSS providers for the compassionate care they provide year-round to seniors and people with disabilities.

As I travel around the state talking to fellow IHSS providers, one thing I’ve heard time and again is that many of our clients are not getting the hours of care they need. The 7%

cut, which has been in effect since 2013, means that everyone’s hours are reduced, and on top of that many of us have been told by social workers that our clients are not eligible for hours they clearly need.

As a union member and leader, I am passionate about helping providers win more hours for their clients. Over the years I have assisted dozens of providers, including a dear friend of mine whose son was initially denied outright by IHSS.

Recently, UDW helped Farhia Hussein and Abdigani Egal in San Diego. Their son has cerebral palsy and needs round-the-clock care. With the help of UDW, they not only saw an hours increase from 39 to 195 per month, but won retroactive back pay for an entire year.

If your client is not getting the hours of care he or she needs,

give us a call. We have councils in every county made up of IHSS providers who can help walk you through the process of appealing assessments and winning more hours.

Standing up together for our clients is what our union is all about. I look forward to working with all of you in 2015 as we fight for justice for homecare.

In unity,Editha AdamsCaregiver and UDW presidentFor the full President’s Report visit www.udwa.org.Thank you caregivers for making a difference!

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

facebook.com/UDW

A MESSAGE FROM UDW’S PRESIDENT

2 3 4OVERTIME UPDATE Gov. Brown says no overtime, but we’re fighting back

UDW GIVES BACK Thanking caregivers across California

JUSTICE FOR HOMECARE IHSS providers and clients deserve better

WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO:• ENDTHE7%CUT TO IHSS HOURS

• RAISEWAGES FOR PROVIDERS

• DEFENDOVERTIME AND TRAVEL PAY

UDW held provider appreciation events in every county across the

state—here caregivers in El Dorado County and UDW District Chair

Amy Day are at their celebration in November.

UDW Placer County District Chair William

Reed presented provider Ann Sharpan with

turkey and pumpkin pie.

UDW Executive Director Doug Moore delivered a turkey and an entire Thanksgiving meal to UDW member Laurie Valdez and her family in San Diego.

Placer County caregiver Abbey Newberry was surprised by UDW with a painting lesson— her favorite hobby. Abbey’s surprise was caught on video and can be watched at www.ThankYouCaregivers.com.

Providers Farhia Hussein and Abdigani Egal of San Diego won back pay and more IHSS hours for their son with the help of UDW.

IHSS provider and UDW member Elise Fuentes from Santa Barbara County received a Thanksgiving

turkey from UDW.

If your client is not getting the hours of care he or she needs, give us a call.

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

In November we released a video series called Thank You Caregivers.

Here Moreno Valley provider Camilla Bradford, who cares for her

brother Reggie, is surprised by UDW members and staff.

3

42

Maria Canizales and her husband Onesimo provide round-the-clock care for their adult sons Gorge and Joel, both born with cerebral palsy.

Like many of us, they are grateful for IHSS because it means keeping their family together. But there are challenges that come with being an IHSS provider, too—like low pay and few benefits.

“One of our biggest issues is that we are not able to take time off together,” Maria said. “And I can never call in sick because providers still don’t have paid sick leave or vacation time.”

Recently UDW members from across the state were surveyed about the challenges we face as IHSS homecare workers, and what we want to do about them in 2015. The results are in and the message is loud and clear: we want justice, fairness, and respect.

The challenges

The majority of us are concerned that our clients are not getting enough IHSS hours, while others cited low wages and no paid time off as major issues.

Deborah Gray of Stanislaus County cares for a young woman named Nakia Gray (no relation), who has chronic seizures, diabetes, and other medical issues. “I’ve heard us referred to as babysitters,” Deborah said. “But we do so much more than that—we improve quality of life and help our clients live with dignity.”

In Orange County, homecare worker Dieu Hang Day Nguyen cares for her client Duong Trinh, a senior who requires in-home care

to stay independent. Dieu Hang has several other clients, as well, but still struggles to get by on the low wages she makes working in Orange County.

“It’s not easy to live on $9.30 an hour. In Orange County the cost of living is very high, and we haven’t had a raise in over five years,” she said. “That is very insulting, and makes me feel like the work I do is not important, like I am not important. When the cost of living goes up, so should our wages.”

Solutions for homecare

Each year, our union advocates for IHSS providers and clients in Washington D.C., Sacramento, our local counties, and in the courts. UDW members push back against policies and lawsuits that hurt IHSS, and we secure new contracts and laws to help providers. This is how we have stopped cuts to IHSS in the past and won improvements such as pay raises and direct deposit for IHSS providers.

Sometimes, it can take years to win better wages and benefits. And it always takes a tremendous amount of solidarity and effort. But we are in it for the long haul, and together we can win.

Here are some of the issues UDW is working on in 2015:

• End the 7% cut to IHSS. In January, Governor Brown proposed a budget that includes restoring 7% to the hours of IHSS clients! It is far from a done deal, however, and over the next six months the budget will work its way through the legislature. UDW caregivers will be there every step of the way to ensure lawmakers restore the 7%. If passed, the hours would be restored as of July 1, 2015.

• Increase pay and benefits. UDW is negotiating new contracts in several counties to secure pay raises. We are also sponsoring legislation to move collective bargaining to the state level for all IHSS

providers in California—which will give us the power we need to negotiate a living wage and better benefits.

• Win paid sick leave. Last year, IHSS providers were the only workers to be excluded from a new law that gives all California workers paid sick leave. It’s not right, and we are back in the legislature this year to win equal rights.

• Defend pay for overtime and travel time. In 2014, caregivers and our union won overtime pay for IHSS providers for the first time in history. Now Governor Brown is refusing to pay us, but we’re fighting back (see overtime story on page 2).

How you can help

Maria Canizales and her family know a thing or two about the importance of standing together. “The UDW community has been vital to our family—my fellow caregivers have helped us advocate for our sons and access the resources available to us,” Maria said. “I urge other IHSS workers to get involved. Getting active in our union means joining others who face the same challenges and making our voices heard on the issues that matter.”

Your union dues support our efforts, and here are some additional ways to get involved:

• Attendeventsandmeetings.Upcomingeventsarepostedatwww.udwa.org, and you can call or stop by your local UDW office for more information.

• GetinvolvedasavolunteertotalktootherIHSSprovidersbycalling1-800-621-5016.

• Takeactiononlineandstayinformedbyvisitingwww.udwa.org and liking us at facebook.com/UDW.

Watch live at 12:30 p.m. at www.udwa.org

Maria Canizales at home with her oldest son Gorge.

Deborah Gray (right) with her client Nakia at home.Dieu Hang Day Nguyen and her

client Duong Trinh

SAVE THE DATE:THURSDAY, MARCH 19th, 2015

IHSS providers are speaking out for justice!

Watch live at www.udwa.org or join us on the steps of the State Capitol Building in Sacramento as we testify about the struggles faced by IHSS providers and clients, and offer solutions for a better future. Several IHSS providers will be sharing their stories in front of a panel of civil and human rights leaders to raise awareness about low wages, inadequate benefits, and not enough hours of care for our clients.

I t’s hard to believe, but homecare workers have been excluded from basic wage protections like overtime pay and a minimum wage for over 75 years. Caregivers and our families were

looking forward to an end to injustice this year, when new Department of Labor regulations and a California law were supposed to go into effect on January 1st.

But now Governor Jerry Brown is trying to deny equal rights to homecare workers, and we’re fighting back.

You may have heard that recently a federal judge sided with for-profit homecare agencies and stopped the new Department of Labor rules from going into effect. After this ruling, the Brown Administration announced it would not pay California homecare providers overtime, even though there is nothing in the court ruling that prohibits the state from moving forward. What’s more, lawmakers passed legislation last year committing to pay overtime to IHSS providers, including funding that is still in the budget.

We are outraged that the Brown Administration is siding with wealthy bosses and going back on its word to IHSS providers. The state is already scrapping plans to compensate us and train providers on the new timesheets, despite the fact that the court ruling is expected to be appealed and may be overturned by a higher court.

Regardless of the court order, California can and should move forward with its commitment to IHSS providers. Right now we are fighting to protect the hundreds of millions of dollars that caregivers won in the budget, and demanding full retroactive pay for IHSS providers who should have been paid starting on January 1st.

Enough is enough. We are sending a clear message to Governor Brown: keep your promise to IHSS providers and our families!

We have launched a statewide campaign to defend our rights. Thousands have signed an online petition directed at the Governor and major actions will soon take place. Call your local UDW office or our Member Benefits Center at 1-800-621-5016 to get involved!

NEXT STEPS

The proposed state budget ends a 7% cut to IHSS hours, but we have more work to do in order to win fairness for IHSS providers and clients

Governor Brown says no overtime for IHSS providers. But we’re fighting back.

We recently asked: What challenges do you face as an IHSS provider?

Work/Life Balance: 28%

Not Enough Hours: 38%

No Health Insurance: 2%

Need a Voice: 3%

Transportation Issues: 3%

No Paid Sick Leave or Paid Time Off: 4%

Job Responsibilities: 12%

Low Wages: 10%

HOMECARE WORKERS DESERVE OVERTIME PAY

– and so much more

“It is appalling that the for-profit homecare industry and its wealthy backers brought this court case to deny dignity to the workers who provide compassionate and lifesaving care to seniors and Americans with disabilities. We expect the Brown Administration to uphold its commitment to homecare workers and pay overtime.”

—Doug Moore, UDW Executive Director

IHSS providers like Yazmin Mancilla of Escondido were supposed to start earning overtime pay on January 1st. Yazmin takes care of her

6-year-old daughter who has Down syndrome, and was counting on the extra income to pay for her daughter’s speech therapy.

Editor’s note: this article went to print in mid-January. For the latest updates and more information about overtime for IHSS providers, visit www.udwa.org.

UDW gives backIn November we celebrated caregivers! From provider appreciation events to Thanksgiving turkey giveaways and special surprises caught on video, we thanked IHSS providers for the compassionate care they provide year-round to seniors and people with disabilities.

As I travel around the state talking to fellow IHSS providers, one thing I’ve heard time and again is that many of our clients are not getting the hours of care they need. The 7%

cut, which has been in effect since 2013, means that everyone’s hours are reduced, and on top of that many of us have been told by social workers that our clients are not eligible for hours they clearly need.

As a union member and leader, I am passionate about helping providers win more hours for their clients. Over the years I have assisted dozens of providers, including a dear friend of mine whose son was initially denied outright by IHSS.

Recently, UDW helped Farhia Hussein and Abdigani Egal in San Diego. Their son has cerebral palsy and needs round-the-clock care. With the help of UDW, they not only saw an hours increase from 39 to 195 per month, but won retroactive back pay for an entire year.

If your client is not getting the hours of care he or she needs,

give us a call. We have councils in every county made up of IHSS providers who can help walk you through the process of appealing assessments and winning more hours.

Standing up together for our clients is what our union is all about. I look forward to working with all of you in 2015 as we fight for justice for homecare.

In unity,Editha AdamsCaregiver and UDW presidentFor the full President’s Report visit www.udwa.org.Thank you caregivers for making a difference!

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

facebook.com/UDW

A MESSAGE FROM UDW’S PRESIDENT

2 3 4OVERTIME UPDATE Gov. Brown says no overtime, but we’re fighting back

UDW GIVES BACK Thanking caregivers across California

JUSTICE FOR HOMECARE IHSS providers and clients deserve better

WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO:• ENDTHE7%CUT TO IHSS HOURS

• RAISEWAGES FOR PROVIDERS

• DEFENDOVERTIME AND TRAVEL PAY

UDW held provider appreciation events in every county across the

state—here caregivers in El Dorado County and UDW District Chair

Amy Day are at their celebration in November.

UDW Placer County District Chair William

Reed presented provider Ann Sharpan with

turkey and pumpkin pie.

UDW Executive Director Doug Moore delivered a turkey and an entire Thanksgiving meal to UDW member Laurie Valdez and her family in San Diego.

Placer County caregiver Abbey Newberry was surprised by UDW with a painting lesson— her favorite hobby. Abbey’s surprise was caught on video and can be watched at www.ThankYouCaregivers.com.

Providers Farhia Hussein and Abdigani Egal of San Diego won back pay and more IHSS hours for their son with the help of UDW.

IHSS provider and UDW member Elise Fuentes from Santa Barbara County received a Thanksgiving

turkey from UDW.

If your client is not getting the hours of care he or she needs, give us a call.

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

In November we released a video series called Thank You Caregivers.

Here Moreno Valley provider Camilla Bradford, who cares for her

brother Reggie, is surprised by UDW members and staff.

3

42

Maria Canizales and her husband Onesimo provide round-the-clock care for their adult sons Gorge and Joel, both born with cerebral palsy.

Like many of us, they are grateful for IHSS because it means keeping their family together. But there are challenges that come with being an IHSS provider, too—like low pay and few benefits.

“One of our biggest issues is that we are not able to take time off together,” Maria said. “And I can never call in sick because providers still don’t have paid sick leave or vacation time.”

Recently UDW members from across the state were surveyed about the challenges we face as IHSS homecare workers, and what we want to do about them in 2015. The results are in and the message is loud and clear: we want justice, fairness, and respect.

The challenges

The majority of us are concerned that our clients are not getting enough IHSS hours, while others cited low wages and no paid time off as major issues.

Deborah Gray of Stanislaus County cares for a young woman named Nakia Gray (no relation), who has chronic seizures, diabetes, and other medical issues. “I’ve heard us referred to as babysitters,” Deborah said. “But we do so much more than that—we improve quality of life and help our clients live with dignity.”

In Orange County, homecare worker Dieu Hang Day Nguyen cares for her client Duong Trinh, a senior who requires in-home care

to stay independent. Dieu Hang has several other clients, as well, but still struggles to get by on the low wages she makes working in Orange County.

“It’s not easy to live on $9.30 an hour. In Orange County the cost of living is very high, and we haven’t had a raise in over five years,” she said. “That is very insulting, and makes me feel like the work I do is not important, like I am not important. When the cost of living goes up, so should our wages.”

Solutions for homecare

Each year, our union advocates for IHSS providers and clients in Washington D.C., Sacramento, our local counties, and in the courts. UDW members push back against policies and lawsuits that hurt IHSS, and we secure new contracts and laws to help providers. This is how we have stopped cuts to IHSS in the past and won improvements such as pay raises and direct deposit for IHSS providers.

Sometimes, it can take years to win better wages and benefits. And it always takes a tremendous amount of solidarity and effort. But we are in it for the long haul, and together we can win.

Here are some of the issues UDW is working on in 2015:

• End the 7% cut to IHSS. In January, Governor Brown proposed a budget that includes restoring 7% to the hours of IHSS clients! It is far from a done deal, however, and over the next six months the budget will work its way through the legislature. UDW caregivers will be there every step of the way to ensure lawmakers restore the 7%. If passed, the hours would be restored as of July 1, 2015.

• Increase pay and benefits. UDW is negotiating new contracts in several counties to secure pay raises. We are also sponsoring legislation to move collective bargaining to the state level for all IHSS

providers in California—which will give us the power we need to negotiate a living wage and better benefits.

• Win paid sick leave. Last year, IHSS providers were the only workers to be excluded from a new law that gives all California workers paid sick leave. It’s not right, and we are back in the legislature this year to win equal rights.

• Defend pay for overtime and travel time. In 2014, caregivers and our union won overtime pay for IHSS providers for the first time in history. Now Governor Brown is refusing to pay us, but we’re fighting back (see overtime story on page 2).

How you can help

Maria Canizales and her family know a thing or two about the importance of standing together. “The UDW community has been vital to our family—my fellow caregivers have helped us advocate for our sons and access the resources available to us,” Maria said. “I urge other IHSS workers to get involved. Getting active in our union means joining others who face the same challenges and making our voices heard on the issues that matter.”

Your union dues support our efforts, and here are some additional ways to get involved:

• Attendeventsandmeetings.Upcomingeventsarepostedatwww.udwa.org, and you can call or stop by your local UDW office for more information.

• GetinvolvedasavolunteertotalktootherIHSSprovidersbycalling1-800-621-5016.

• Takeactiononlineandstayinformedbyvisitingwww.udwa.org and liking us at facebook.com/UDW.

Watch live at 12:30 p.m. at www.udwa.org

Maria Canizales at home with her oldest son Gorge.

Deborah Gray (right) with her client Nakia at home.Dieu Hang Day Nguyen and her

client Duong Trinh

SAVE THE DATE:THURSDAY, MARCH 19th, 2015

IHSS providers are speaking out for justice!

Watch live at www.udwa.org or join us on the steps of the State Capitol Building in Sacramento as we testify about the struggles faced by IHSS providers and clients, and offer solutions for a better future. Several IHSS providers will be sharing their stories in front of a panel of civil and human rights leaders to raise awareness about low wages, inadequate benefits, and not enough hours of care for our clients.

I t’s hard to believe, but homecare workers have been excluded from basic wage protections like overtime pay and a minimum wage for over 75 years. Caregivers and our families were

looking forward to an end to injustice this year, when new Department of Labor regulations and a California law were supposed to go into effect on January 1st.

But now Governor Jerry Brown is trying to deny equal rights to homecare workers, and we’re fighting back.

You may have heard that recently a federal judge sided with for-profit homecare agencies and stopped the new Department of Labor rules from going into effect. After this ruling, the Brown Administration announced it would not pay California homecare providers overtime, even though there is nothing in the court ruling that prohibits the state from moving forward. What’s more, lawmakers passed legislation last year committing to pay overtime to IHSS providers, including funding that is still in the budget.

We are outraged that the Brown Administration is siding with wealthy bosses and going back on its word to IHSS providers. The state is already scrapping plans to compensate us and train providers on the new timesheets, despite the fact that the court ruling is expected to be appealed and may be overturned by a higher court.

Regardless of the court order, California can and should move forward with its commitment to IHSS providers. Right now we are fighting to protect the hundreds of millions of dollars that caregivers won in the budget, and demanding full retroactive pay for IHSS providers who should have been paid starting on January 1st.

Enough is enough. We are sending a clear message to Governor Brown: keep your promise to IHSS providers and our families!

We have launched a statewide campaign to defend our rights. Thousands have signed an online petition directed at the Governor and major actions will soon take place. Call your local UDW office or our Member Benefits Center at 1-800-621-5016 to get involved!

NEXT STEPS

The proposed state budget ends a 7% cut to IHSS hours, but we have more work to do in order to win fairness for IHSS providers and clients

Governor Brown says no overtime for IHSS providers. But we’re fighting back.

We recently asked: What challenges do you face as an IHSS provider?

Work/Life Balance: 28%

Not Enough Hours: 38%

No Health Insurance: 2%

Need a Voice: 3%

Transportation Issues: 3%

No Paid Sick Leave or Paid Time Off: 4%

Job Responsibilities: 12%

Low Wages: 10%

HOMECARE WORKERS DESERVE OVERTIME PAY

– and so much more

“It is appalling that the for-profit homecare industry and its wealthy backers brought this court case to deny dignity to the workers who provide compassionate and lifesaving care to seniors and Americans with disabilities. We expect the Brown Administration to uphold its commitment to homecare workers and pay overtime.”

—Doug Moore, UDW Executive Director

IHSS providers like Yazmin Mancilla of Escondido were supposed to start earning overtime pay on January 1st. Yazmin takes care of her

6-year-old daughter who has Down syndrome, and was counting on the extra income to pay for her daughter’s speech therapy.

Editor’s note: this article went to print in mid-January. For the latest updates and more information about overtime for IHSS providers, visit www.udwa.org.

42

Maria Canizales and her husband Onesimo provide round-the-clock care for their adult sons Gorge and Joel, both born with cerebral palsy.

Like many of us, they are grateful for IHSS because it means keeping their family together. But there are challenges that come with being an IHSS provider, too—like low pay and few benefits.

“One of our biggest issues is that we are not able to take time off together,” Maria said. “And I can never call in sick because providers still don’t have paid sick leave or vacation time.”

Recently UDW members from across the state were surveyed about the challenges we face as IHSS homecare workers, and what we want to do about them in 2015. The results are in and the message is loud and clear: we want justice, fairness, and respect.

The challenges

The majority of us are concerned that our clients are not getting enough IHSS hours, while others cited low wages and no paid time off as major issues.

Deborah Gray of Stanislaus County cares for a young woman named Nakia Gray (no relation), who has chronic seizures, diabetes, and other medical issues. “I’ve heard us referred to as babysitters,” Deborah said. “But we do so much more than that—we improve quality of life and help our clients live with dignity.”

In Orange County, homecare worker Dieu Hang Day Nguyen cares for her client Duong Trinh, a senior who requires in-home care

to stay independent. Dieu Hang has several other clients, as well, but still struggles to get by on the low wages she makes working in Orange County.

“It’s not easy to live on $9.30 an hour. In Orange County the cost of living is very high, and we haven’t had a raise in over five years,” she said. “That is very insulting, and makes me feel like the work I do is not important, like I am not important. When the cost of living goes up, so should our wages.”

Solutions for homecare

Each year, our union advocates for IHSS providers and clients in Washington D.C., Sacramento, our local counties, and in the courts. UDW members push back against policies and lawsuits that hurt IHSS, and we secure new contracts and laws to help providers. This is how we have stopped cuts to IHSS in the past and won improvements such as pay raises and direct deposit for IHSS providers.

Sometimes, it can take years to win better wages and benefits. And it always takes a tremendous amount of solidarity and effort. But we are in it for the long haul, and together we can win.

Here are some of the issues UDW is working on in 2015:

• End the 7% cut to IHSS. In January, Governor Brown proposed a budget that includes restoring 7% to the hours of IHSS clients! It is far from a done deal, however, and over the next six months the budget will work its way through the legislature. UDW caregivers will be there every step of the way to ensure lawmakers restore the 7%. If passed, the hours would be restored as of July 1, 2015.

• Increase pay and benefits. UDW is negotiating new contracts in several counties to secure pay raises. We are also sponsoring legislation to move collective bargaining to the state level for all IHSS

providers in California—which will give us the power we need to negotiate a living wage and better benefits.

• Win paid sick leave. Last year, IHSS providers were the only workers to be excluded from a new law that gives all California workers paid sick leave. It’s not right, and we are back in the legislature this year to win equal rights.

• Defend pay for overtime and travel time. In 2014, caregivers and our union won overtime pay for IHSS providers for the first time in history. Now Governor Brown is refusing to pay us, but we’re fighting back (see overtime story on page 2).

How you can help

Maria Canizales and her family know a thing or two about the importance of standing together. “The UDW community has been vital to our family—my fellow caregivers have helped us advocate for our sons and access the resources available to us,” Maria said. “I urge other IHSS workers to get involved. Getting active in our union means joining others who face the same challenges and making our voices heard on the issues that matter.”

Your union dues support our efforts, and here are some additional ways to get involved:

• Attendeventsandmeetings.Upcomingeventsarepostedatwww.udwa.org, and you can call or stop by your local UDW office for more information.

• GetinvolvedasavolunteertotalktootherIHSSprovidersbycalling1-800-621-5016.

• Takeactiononlineandstayinformedbyvisitingwww.udwa.org and liking us at facebook.com/UDW.

Watch live at 12:30 p.m. at www.udwa.org

Maria Canizales at home with her oldest son Gorge.

Deborah Gray (right) with her client Nakia at home.Dieu Hang Day Nguyen and her

client Duong Trinh

SAVE THE DATE:THURSDAY, MARCH 19th, 2015

IHSS providers are speaking out for justice!

Watch live at www.udwa.org or join us on the steps of the State Capitol Building in Sacramento as we testify about the struggles faced by IHSS providers and clients, and offer solutions for a better future. Several IHSS providers will be sharing their stories in front of a panel of civil and human rights leaders to raise awareness about low wages, inadequate benefits, and not enough hours of care for our clients.

I t’s hard to believe, but homecare workers have been excluded from basic wage protections like overtime pay and a minimum wage for over 75 years. Caregivers and our families were

looking forward to an end to injustice this year, when new Department of Labor regulations and a California law were supposed to go into effect on January 1st.

But now Governor Jerry Brown is trying to deny equal rights to homecare workers, and we’re fighting back.

You may have heard that recently a federal judge sided with for-profit homecare agencies and stopped the new Department of Labor rules from going into effect. After this ruling, the Brown Administration announced it would not pay California homecare providers overtime, even though there is nothing in the court ruling that prohibits the state from moving forward. What’s more, lawmakers passed legislation last year committing to pay overtime to IHSS providers, including funding that is still in the budget.

We are outraged that the Brown Administration is siding with wealthy bosses and going back on its word to IHSS providers. The state is already scrapping plans to compensate us and train providers on the new timesheets, despite the fact that the court ruling is expected to be appealed and may be overturned by a higher court.

Regardless of the court order, California can and should move forward with its commitment to IHSS providers. Right now we are fighting to protect the hundreds of millions of dollars that caregivers won in the budget, and demanding full retroactive pay for IHSS providers who should have been paid starting on January 1st.

Enough is enough. We are sending a clear message to Governor Brown: keep your promise to IHSS providers and our families!

We have launched a statewide campaign to defend our rights. Thousands have signed an online petition directed at the Governor and major actions will soon take place. Call your local UDW office or our Member Benefits Center at 1-800-621-5016 to get involved!

NEXT STEPS

The proposed state budget ends a 7% cut to IHSS hours, but we have more work to do in order to win fairness for IHSS providers and clients

Governor Brown says no overtime for IHSS providers. But we’re fighting back.

We recently asked: What challenges do you face as an IHSS provider?

Work/Life Balance: 28%

Not Enough Hours: 38%

No Health Insurance: 2%

Need a Voice: 3%

Transportation Issues: 3%

No Paid Sick Leave or Paid Time Off: 4%

Job Responsibilities: 12%

Low Wages: 10%

HOMECARE WORKERS DESERVE OVERTIME PAY

– and so much more

“It is appalling that the for-profit homecare industry and its wealthy backers brought this court case to deny dignity to the workers who provide compassionate and lifesaving care to seniors and Americans with disabilities. We expect the Brown Administration to uphold its commitment to homecare workers and pay overtime.”

—Doug Moore, UDW Executive Director

IHSS providers like Yazmin Mancilla of Escondido were supposed to start earning overtime pay on January 1st. Yazmin takes care of her

6-year-old daughter who has Down syndrome, and was counting on the extra income to pay for her daughter’s speech therapy.

Editor’s note: this article went to print in mid-January. For the latest updates and more information about overtime for IHSS providers, visit www.udwa.org.

UDW gives backIn November we celebrated caregivers! From provider appreciation events to Thanksgiving turkey giveaways and special surprises caught on video, we thanked IHSS providers for the compassionate care they provide year-round to seniors and people with disabilities.

As I travel around the state talking to fellow IHSS providers, one thing I’ve heard time and again is that many of our clients are not getting the hours of care they need. The 7%

cut, which has been in effect since 2013, means that everyone’s hours are reduced, and on top of that many of us have been told by social workers that our clients are not eligible for hours they clearly need.

As a union member and leader, I am passionate about helping providers win more hours for their clients. Over the years I have assisted dozens of providers, including a dear friend of mine whose son was initially denied outright by IHSS.

Recently, UDW helped Farhia Hussein and Abdigani Egal in San Diego. Their son has cerebral palsy and needs round-the-clock care. With the help of UDW, they not only saw an hours increase from 39 to 195 per month, but won retroactive back pay for an entire year.

If your client is not getting the hours of care he or she needs,

give us a call. We have councils in every county made up of IHSS providers who can help walk you through the process of appealing assessments and winning more hours.

Standing up together for our clients is what our union is all about. I look forward to working with all of you in 2015 as we fight for justice for homecare.

In unity,Editha AdamsCaregiver and UDW presidentFor the full President’s Report visit www.udwa.org.Thank you caregivers for making a difference!

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

facebook.com/UDW

A MESSAGE FROM UDW’S PRESIDENT

2 3 4OVERTIME UPDATE Gov. Brown says no overtime, but we’re fighting back

UDW GIVES BACK Thanking caregivers across California

JUSTICE FOR HOMECARE IHSS providers and clients deserve better

WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO:• ENDTHE7%CUT TO IHSS HOURS

• RAISEWAGES FOR PROVIDERS

• DEFENDOVERTIME AND TRAVEL PAY

UDW held provider appreciation events in every county across the

state—here caregivers in El Dorado County and UDW District Chair

Amy Day are at their celebration in November.

UDW Placer County District Chair William

Reed presented provider Ann Sharpan with

turkey and pumpkin pie.

UDW Executive Director Doug Moore delivered a turkey and an entire Thanksgiving meal to UDW member Laurie Valdez and her family in San Diego.

Placer County caregiver Abbey Newberry was surprised by UDW with a painting lesson— her favorite hobby. Abbey’s surprise was caught on video and can be watched at www.ThankYouCaregivers.com.

Providers Farhia Hussein and Abdigani Egal of San Diego won back pay and more IHSS hours for their son with the help of UDW.

IHSS provider and UDW member Elise Fuentes from Santa Barbara County received a Thanksgiving

turkey from UDW.

If your client is not getting the hours of care he or she needs, give us a call.

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

In November we released a video series called Thank You Caregivers.

Here Moreno Valley provider Camilla Bradford, who cares for her

brother Reggie, is surprised by UDW members and staff.

3