myUHW: Home Care

(SACRAMENTO, CA)- In securing another legal victory to prevent cuts to in-home caregivers' wages, SEIU California today won big for frail seniors and people with disabilities who rely on homecare to live at home instead of in more expensive institutions.

"This ruling by the Court is a great victory for all Californians," said Laphonza Butler, President-Elect of SEIU-ULTCW, United Long-Term Care Workers. "It sends a clear message to the Governor that he can't balance the state's budget on the backs of thousands of hardworking in-home caregivers."

Assemblyman Jones to assist with therapeutic activities, personal hygiene, and meal preparation to see firsthand the benefits of the In-Home Supportive Services Program for seniors and the disabled

CLAYTON, CA - Insurance Commissioner Candidate Dave Jones will spend a day at work with Mary Harms, a Contra Costa County home care provider, to better understand how the home care program serves as a lifeline for seniors and the disabled across California on Saturday, March 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. A press availability will follow.

NUHW has used lies and discredited allegations to convince some politicians and community activists to sign a deceitful and hateful letter accusing SEIU-UHW members of being liars and cheaters. The letter drags up old allegations that have been fully refuted and shown to be false.

SEIU-UHW members are responding to the attack with their own letter that demands to know why elected officials would sign on to such an outrageous letter without even asking for our side. Further, it reminds them how destructive this action is in light of their continuing effort to fight for good contracts and for a state budget that protects vital services.

Supporters of County's successful, cost-saving home care program rally against proposed cuts

FRESNO, CA - Fresno County home care workers, consumers and community supporters stood up to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, who are threatening the ability of seniors and the disabled to continue to live safely and independently in their own homes through the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program. The Supervisors have proposed cutting the wages of Fresno home care providers and reducing health care benefits. This could result in home care providers looking for new jobs with better wages and benefits and leave clients without care.

Supporters of County's successful, cost-saving home care program to rally against proposed cuts

FRESNO, CA - The Fresno County Board of Supervisors are threatening the ability of seniors and the disabled to continue to live safely and independently in their own homes through the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program. The Supervisors have proposed cutting the wages of Fresno home care providers and reducing health care benefits. This could result in home care providers looking for new jobs with better wages and benefits.

Upcoming Ads to highlight cuts to children's healthcare by Supervisors Case and Larson

FRESNO, CA - Members of the Service Employees International Union - United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) have sent a mailer to Fresno residents highlighting Supervisors Judy Case's and Phil Larson's cuts to law enforcement at the same time they gave a big raise to the county's top administrator. The two county supervisors voted for a 17% salary increase for John Navarrette, the county's administrative officer. They then approved a budget plan with $7.5 million in cuts for the Fresno County Sheriff's office.

Sacramento County, CA - Home Care workers in Sacramento County have a new two-year contract that protects employees' wages, improves their healthcare, and ensures that seniors and people with disabilities will continue receiving the services they need to live independently at home.

Martinez, CA - The Central Labor Council of Contra Costa County passed a resolution stating that to receive the Council's endorsement, members of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors must support maintaining the retirement benefit for the County's home care workers. Currently the workers, members of the Service Employees International Union, United Healthcare Workers - West (SEIU-UHW), are negotiating a new two-year contract, but the County is attempting to eliminate the pension program, even though it would cost the county more to eliminate the program than continue to keep it.

In the resolution, the Council concluded, "that the Central Labor Council of Contra Costa County strongly urges our County Board of Supervisors to order the Public Authority to withdraw their contract proposal terminating the pension plan for IHSS providers; and, be it further resolved, that a Supervisor seen in support of terminating the pension for IHSS providers will not receive the endorsement of this Council."

His Scapegoating Will Cost Taxpayers More While Hurting Seniors and People With Disabilities

Sacramento - Following Governor Schwarzenegger press conference today on fraud, waste and abuse in the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program , three Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California locals representing home care workers - SEIU ULTCW-United Long Term Care Workers' Union, SEIU-UHW United Healthcare Workers West, and SEIU Local 521 released the following joint statement:

Marin County, CA - Home Care workers in Marin County voted unanimously, 100%, to ratify a new contract that protects wages - regardless of any reduction in state or federal funding - and healthcare despite the faltering economy.

On December 1, hundreds of home care workers, consumers, and their community supporters rallied at County Board of Supervisors meetings across the state in Sacramento, Contra Costa, Fresno, and San Joaquin counties, urging supervisors to defend in-home supportive services (IHSS) consumers who rely on home care to remain safely in their homes and the people who care for them.

Sacramento - Following today's announcement press conference of the Sacramento County IHSS Task Force, Sacramento County home care worker John Campbell released the following statement:

"No one is more committed to the safety of home care consumers and the integrity of the home care program than those of us who have dedicated our lives and careers to serving seniors and people with disabilities as home care providers.