Our work at the Capitol in 2017 Year after year, UDW champions legislation that improves the lives of caregivers, working families, seniors and people with disabilities – and we’re continuing that work in 2017. This year, UDW caregivers are:
Winning security for caregivers
Fixing the broken timesheet system
IHSS providers who care for our spouse or child are not currently eligible for unemployment benefits, or Social Security and Medicare when we retire. Last year, our tireless work to right this wrong meant that our communities and elected leaders were educated about this injustice. This year, we’ll continue to work together to extend these basic benefits to all caregivers.
In 2016, we helped secure an audit of the IHSS payroll process. This year, we’re sponsoring and championing legislation that uses the results of the audit to improve the payroll process so that we can get paid fairly and on time.
$2,400 this year with UDW member benefits
As home care providers, our highest priority is the health and safety of our clients. In 2017, we’re working to improve our state’s emergency response systems with the goal of preventing negative interactions between law enforcement, firefighters, and EMTs and people with cognitive or mental impairments or developmental disabilities in our local communities. In doing so, we hope to save lives and protect our loved ones.
Dear fellow IHSS providers, Together UDW caregivers negotiate better wages and benefits for our work, while also protecting our clients and loved ones by advocating for seniors and people with disabilities and improving the IHSS program. But there’s one more perk to being a member of UDW: our member benefits and discounts.
Did you know that if you took advantage of every UDW member benefit, your family could save over $2,400 this year? Our low-cost dental plan can save caregivers up to $194.50 over more expensive dental coverage. The WellCard Health Discount Card can save a family of three on average $1,000 annually. A free accidental death and dismemberment policy through American Income Life will save you another $96, and our 15% AT&T discount can save you an average of $72 on your phone bill each year. Free caregiving trainings like CPR and First Aid save us money while teaching us the tools we
3
4855 Seminole Drive San Diego, CA 92115 800-621-5016 udwa.org facebook.com/UDW twitter.com/UDWA
Winter 2017
Keeping people with disabilities safe
And we’re doing so much more! For a full list of our 2017 legislative priorities, visit www.udwa.org.
Save over
News from our union
need to give our clients the quality care they deserve. Not to mention the new free AFSCME college benefit, and so much more. Of course one of our most valuable member benefits are our free advocacy councils. Last year we helped UDW member Vera Galinha of Merced County win protective supervision for her client – an increase in 175 hours a month and back pay.
Start taking advantage of your member benefits today! Visit www.udwa.org/memberbenefits or call 1-800-621-5016 for more information. In solidarity,
Editha Adams, caregiver and UDW President
Read the full President’s Report at www.udwa.org.
DON’T FORGET: If you haven’t yet returned the IHSS Program Provider Enrollment Agreement (SOC 846) to your local county IHSS office, you must do so before April 29, 2017.
Electronic timesheets coming soon! In 2016, UDW caregivers played a pivotal role in making much needed improvements to the IHSS payroll system. With the timesheet audit victory under our belts, we continued to speak up and tell our late timesheet and paycheck stories throughout the year. The state heard us, and announced it would finally offer an electronic timesheet option in 2017. Last December, small groups of IHSS providers were able to try out the state’s electronic timesheet prototype, and offer our opinions.
or worse, led to providers being evicted from their homes. Lawmakers were appalled, and pledged to help us fix the system in 2017. We all deserve a payroll system that works, and a paycheck we can depend on for the hard work we do. Have a late paycheck story to share with lawmakers? Take our survey at bit.ly/IHSSpay.
Overall, we are excited about the improvement, and believe it will help reduce the time providers currently spend waiting for our paychecks. A pilot of the optional electronic timesheets will be rolled out in two counties in May 2017, and then to the rest of the state in July. And while electronic timesheets will be a great option for thousands of caregivers, we know that not all IHSS providers or recipients will want to use them. That’s why we must continue our work to fix the paper timesheet system, too. At a Senate Committee on Human Services hearing in Los Angeles last November, we held the Department of Social Services accountable for their role in paycheck delays – delays that have forced our families to go without for holidays,
UDW members Asifa Sohail, Debbie Dumm, Cindy Wilson, and Lidia Rodriguez try out the new electronic timesheet system on their smart phones.
IN THIS ISSUE:
PROTECTING HOME CARE IN 2017
THE LATEST ON IHSS TIMESHEETS
SAVE OVER $2,400 WITH MEMBER BENEFITS
Our work at the Capitol in 2017 Year after year, UDW champions legislation that improves the lives of caregivers, working families, seniors and people with disabilities – and we’re continuing that work in 2017. This year, UDW caregivers are:
Winning security for caregivers
Fixing the broken timesheet system
IHSS providers who care for our spouse or child are not currently eligible for unemployment benefits, or Social Security and Medicare when we retire. Last year, our tireless work to right this wrong meant that our communities and elected leaders were educated about this injustice. This year, we’ll continue to work together to extend these basic benefits to all caregivers.
In 2016, we helped secure an audit of the IHSS payroll process. This year, we’re sponsoring and championing legislation that uses the results of the audit to improve the payroll process so that we can get paid fairly and on time.
$2,400 this year with UDW member benefits
As home care providers, our highest priority is the health and safety of our clients. In 2017, we’re working to improve our state’s emergency response systems with the goal of preventing negative interactions between law enforcement, firefighters, and EMTs and people with cognitive or mental impairments or developmental disabilities in our local communities. In doing so, we hope to save lives and protect our loved ones.
Dear fellow IHSS providers, Together UDW caregivers negotiate better wages and benefits for our work, while also protecting our clients and loved ones by advocating for seniors and people with disabilities and improving the IHSS program. But there’s one more perk to being a member of UDW: our member benefits and discounts.
Did you know that if you took advantage of every UDW member benefit, your family could save over $2,400 this year? Our low-cost dental plan can save caregivers up to $194.50 over more expensive dental coverage. The WellCard Health Discount Card can save a family of three on average $1,000 annually. A free accidental death and dismemberment policy through American Income Life will save you another $96, and our 15% AT&T discount can save you an average of $72 on your phone bill each year. Free caregiving trainings like CPR and First Aid save us money while teaching us the tools we
3
4855 Seminole Drive San Diego, CA 92115 800-621-5016 udwa.org facebook.com/UDW twitter.com/UDWA
Winter 2017
Keeping people with disabilities safe
And we’re doing so much more! For a full list of our 2017 legislative priorities, visit www.udwa.org.
Save over
News from our union
need to give our clients the quality care they deserve. Not to mention the new free AFSCME college benefit, and so much more. Of course one of our most valuable member benefits are our free advocacy councils. Last year we helped UDW member Vera Galinha of Merced County win protective supervision for her client – an increase in 175 hours a month and back pay.
Start taking advantage of your member benefits today! Visit www.udwa.org/memberbenefits or call 1-800-621-5016 for more information. In solidarity,
Editha Adams, caregiver and UDW President
Read the full President’s Report at www.udwa.org.
DON’T FORGET: If you haven’t yet returned the IHSS Program Provider Enrollment Agreement (SOC 846) to your local county IHSS office, you must do so before April 29, 2017.
Electronic timesheets coming soon! In 2016, UDW caregivers played a pivotal role in making much needed improvements to the IHSS payroll system. With the timesheet audit victory under our belts, we continued to speak up and tell our late timesheet and paycheck stories throughout the year. The state heard us, and announced it would finally offer an electronic timesheet option in 2017. Last December, small groups of IHSS providers were able to try out the state’s electronic timesheet prototype, and offer our opinions.
or worse, led to providers being evicted from their homes. Lawmakers were appalled, and pledged to help us fix the system in 2017. We all deserve a payroll system that works, and a paycheck we can depend on for the hard work we do. Have a late paycheck story to share with lawmakers? Take our survey at bit.ly/IHSSpay.
Overall, we are excited about the improvement, and believe it will help reduce the time providers currently spend waiting for our paychecks. A pilot of the optional electronic timesheets will be rolled out in two counties in May 2017, and then to the rest of the state in July. And while electronic timesheets will be a great option for thousands of caregivers, we know that not all IHSS providers or recipients will want to use them. That’s why we must continue our work to fix the paper timesheet system, too. At a Senate Committee on Human Services hearing in Los Angeles last November, we held the Department of Social Services accountable for their role in paycheck delays – delays that have forced our families to go without for holidays,
UDW members Asifa Sohail, Debbie Dumm, Cindy Wilson, and Lidia Rodriguez try out the new electronic timesheet system on their smart phones.
IN THIS ISSUE:
PROTECTING HOME CARE IN 2017
THE LATEST ON IHSS TIMESHEETS
SAVE OVER $2,400 WITH MEMBER BENEFITS
FIGHTING BACK AGAINST THREATS TO HOME CARE
IN 2017 AND BEYOND E
lection Day 2016 has come and gone, a new President is in the White House, and the U.S. Congress is now in session. No matter how you voted in November, one thing is certain: the decisions of the new administration and Congress will impact IHSS caregivers and recipients. And if what we’ve seen so far is any indication, we’re in for quite a fight. “Medicaid pays for 55% of all IHSS funding,” said UDW caregiver Susana Saldana of Merced County. “If Obamacare is repealed, Medicaid could be next on the chopping block.” “We need to stand together to show that we’re united, that we’ll fight to protect our children, people with disabilities, and seniors.” Many UDW members share Susana’s concerns, but we also know that we have a long history of fighting back against threats to IHSS and our clients.
FIGHT, PROTECT, WIN: 17 YEARS OF UDW VICTORIES
UDW caregivers in action Back in 2009, when former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger tried to eliminate the IHSS
Betsy Herrera takes care of her mother in their home. She also brings her with her to rallies and lobby visits at the Capitol so that they can fight for IHSS together.
1999-2008 UDW caregivers win our collective bargaining rights, and transform our union to one for caregivers by caregivers. We also win direct deposit for our IHSS paychecks!
2009 UDW stops Governor Schwarzenegger’s attempt to decrease the state’s contribution to our wages and benefits and put unfair limits on who can receive care.
2010 Together we stop Governor Schwarzenegger from eliminating IHSS entirely.
program altogether, UDW caregivers stopped him. Three years later, when Governor Jerry Brown tried to cut the IHSS program by 20%, we stopped him, too. And we continue to fight back against cuts and other threats to IHSS every time the state throws them at us. (See below for a timeline of our victories!) In 2015, after the governor went back on his promise to pay us overtime, we fought back and won. Last year, for the first time in history, IHSS providers finally began receiving the overtime pay that most working Americans have enjoyed since 1938. UDW caregivers do a vital and selfless job and have always stood strong against attacks on home care and our clients. We advocate for each other, for the health and dignity of seniors and people with disabilities, and together we have had a direct role in each and every one of our victories. The threats we face in 2017 will be no different. What’s next This year, we’re already fighting back against an attempt by Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare). Because of the ACA, an estimated 75,000 UDW caregivers are now eligible for free and affordable health coverage. “The ACA is important,” said Betsy Herrera, an IHSS provider from Stanislaus County who takes care of her mother Margarita. “Both my mom
We successfully urge lawmakers We settle three lawsuits – putting an end to protect IHSS by finding new to massive IHSS cuts proposed by both governors in 2009 and 2012. funding when Governor Brown tries The settlement includes a one-year to end certain vital services and cut 8% cut, and an ongoing 7% cut. recipient hours by 12%.
We also win legislation that both ends timesheet fingerprint requirements, and requires counties to give us our background check results and appeals information.
UDW caregiver Julie Otero speaks out at a rally to protect the Affordable Care Act in Bakersfield, CA.
2013
2011
2011
and I depend on it. There is no way we would be able to get the medical care we need without it. And without Medicaid, I’d be out of a job.” Betsy is right, and she echoes the worries of many other IHSS providers as well. Attacks on the ACA are an attack on our health care, but an attack on Medicaid – which House Speaker Paul Ryan has spoken about for years – is a direct attack on IHSS. Medicaid, a federal program, provides 55% of the funding for the IHSS program. That means if Medicaid is cut, changed, or eliminated, IHSS recipients and providers will feel it.
2012 UDW and home care advocates file lawsuits to stop Governor Brown’s proposed 20% cut to IHSS.
2014
The Freedom Foundation tells union members to give themselves a raise and stop paying union dues. “They are telling providers that the union doesn’t do anything for us,” said caregiver Julie Otero of Kern County, “but who is there when our hours are taken away? ‘Giving ourselves a raise’ means not having back up and no one to fight for us – leaving UDW means we stand alone, but in unity we have strength.” LaTrese Lofton fights to protect IHSS for clients like her daughter Sha’Quonna, who lives with Angelman syndrome.
But not all of the threats we face in 2017 will come from the new administration or Congress. An out-of-state, corporate billionaire-backed, anti-home care organization known as the Freedom Foundation began targeting IHSS providers last year. The Freedom Foundation says they want to help home care providers save money by trying to convince us to leave our union, but what they don’t say is that the victories we have won threaten their agenda. Freedom Foundation claims they understand IHSS workers and our clients, but they don’t. One of their executives called caregivers a bunch of “babysitters.” “Groups like that don’t care about us or our clients, they care about power,” said UDW caregiver Sharon Duchessi of Placer County.
2015
We block Governor Brown’s attempt to limit providers to 40 hours per week and avoid paying us overtime.
After months of intense pressure by UDW caregivers, the state announces that overtime, travel time, and medical wait time pay will begin in February 2016.
2013
2015
The U.S. Department of Labor updates the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to extend overtime pay to home care workers after decades of exclusion.
UDW caregivers successfully end the 7% cut to our clients’ hours for one year.
2015 UDW wins legislation requiring training for law enforcement on how to better interact with people with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and substance abuse disorders – keeping people with disabilities safer in our communities.
Fight, Protect, Win! UDW caregivers will face some tough challenges in 2017, and the road ahead of us will not always be easy. However, if we keep our goals of strengthening and protecting IHSS in sight, and we work together, we can win! “Together we stand, divided we fall,” said LaTrese Lofton, who provides care for her daughter Sha’Quonna in Riverside County. “This is the time for us to fight as hard as we’ve ever fought before.” So get ready, UDW caregivers. Let’s make 2017 our best year yet. For more information about getting involved and joining the fight to protect home care, call your local office or visit www.udwa.org.
2016 Once again, we stop the 7% cut – this time through 2019. UDW caregivers fight alongside other low-wage workers for a law that increases California’s minimum wage to $15 by 2022, and gives providers paid sick days for the first time ever. We take action to fix the broken IHSS payroll system. We win a state-level audit of the problems causing paycheck and timesheet delays, and pressure the state to implement optional electronic timesheets starting in 2017.
FIGHTING BACK AGAINST THREATS TO HOME CARE
IN 2017 AND BEYOND E
lection Day 2016 has come and gone, a new President is in the White House, and the U.S. Congress is now in session. No matter how you voted in November, one thing is certain: the decisions of the new administration and Congress will impact IHSS caregivers and recipients. And if what we’ve seen so far is any indication, we’re in for quite a fight. “Medicaid pays for 55% of all IHSS funding,” said UDW caregiver Susana Saldana of Merced County. “If Obamacare is repealed, Medicaid could be next on the chopping block.” “We need to stand together to show that we’re united, that we’ll fight to protect our children, people with disabilities, and seniors.” Many UDW members share Susana’s concerns, but we also know that we have a long history of fighting back against threats to IHSS and our clients.
FIGHT, PROTECT, WIN: 17 YEARS OF UDW VICTORIES
UDW caregivers in action Back in 2009, when former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger tried to eliminate the IHSS
Betsy Herrera takes care of her mother in their home. She also brings her with her to rallies and lobby visits at the Capitol so that they can fight for IHSS together.
1999-2008 UDW caregivers win our collective bargaining rights, and transform our union to one for caregivers by caregivers. We also win direct deposit for our IHSS paychecks!
2009 UDW stops Governor Schwarzenegger’s attempt to decrease the state’s contribution to our wages and benefits and put unfair limits on who can receive care.
2010 Together we stop Governor Schwarzenegger from eliminating IHSS entirely.
program altogether, UDW caregivers stopped him. Three years later, when Governor Jerry Brown tried to cut the IHSS program by 20%, we stopped him, too. And we continue to fight back against cuts and other threats to IHSS every time the state throws them at us. (See below for a timeline of our victories!) In 2015, after the governor went back on his promise to pay us overtime, we fought back and won. Last year, for the first time in history, IHSS providers finally began receiving the overtime pay that most working Americans have enjoyed since 1938. UDW caregivers do a vital and selfless job and have always stood strong against attacks on home care and our clients. We advocate for each other, for the health and dignity of seniors and people with disabilities, and together we have had a direct role in each and every one of our victories. The threats we face in 2017 will be no different. What’s next This year, we’re already fighting back against an attempt by Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare). Because of the ACA, an estimated 75,000 UDW caregivers are now eligible for free and affordable health coverage. “The ACA is important,” said Betsy Herrera, an IHSS provider from Stanislaus County who takes care of her mother Margarita. “Both my mom
We successfully urge lawmakers We settle three lawsuits – putting an end to protect IHSS by finding new to massive IHSS cuts proposed by both governors in 2009 and 2012. funding when Governor Brown tries The settlement includes a one-year to end certain vital services and cut 8% cut, and an ongoing 7% cut. recipient hours by 12%.
We also win legislation that both ends timesheet fingerprint requirements, and requires counties to give us our background check results and appeals information.
UDW caregiver Julie Otero speaks out at a rally to protect the Affordable Care Act in Bakersfield, CA.
2013
2011
2011
and I depend on it. There is no way we would be able to get the medical care we need without it. And without Medicaid, I’d be out of a job.” Betsy is right, and she echoes the worries of many other IHSS providers as well. Attacks on the ACA are an attack on our health care, but an attack on Medicaid – which House Speaker Paul Ryan has spoken about for years – is a direct attack on IHSS. Medicaid, a federal program, provides 55% of the funding for the IHSS program. That means if Medicaid is cut, changed, or eliminated, IHSS recipients and providers will feel it.
2012 UDW and home care advocates file lawsuits to stop Governor Brown’s proposed 20% cut to IHSS.
2014
The Freedom Foundation tells union members to give themselves a raise and stop paying union dues. “They are telling providers that the union doesn’t do anything for us,” said caregiver Julie Otero of Kern County, “but who is there when our hours are taken away? ‘Giving ourselves a raise’ means not having back up and no one to fight for us – leaving UDW means we stand alone, but in unity we have strength.” LaTrese Lofton fights to protect IHSS for clients like her daughter Sha’Quonna, who lives with Angelman syndrome.
But not all of the threats we face in 2017 will come from the new administration or Congress. An out-of-state, corporate billionaire-backed, anti-home care organization known as the Freedom Foundation began targeting IHSS providers last year. The Freedom Foundation says they want to help home care providers save money by trying to convince us to leave our union, but what they don’t say is that the victories we have won threaten their agenda. Freedom Foundation claims they understand IHSS workers and our clients, but they don’t. One of their executives called caregivers a bunch of “babysitters.” “Groups like that don’t care about us or our clients, they care about power,” said UDW caregiver Sharon Duchessi of Placer County.
2015
We block Governor Brown’s attempt to limit providers to 40 hours per week and avoid paying us overtime.
After months of intense pressure by UDW caregivers, the state announces that overtime, travel time, and medical wait time pay will begin in February 2016.
2013
2015
The U.S. Department of Labor updates the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to extend overtime pay to home care workers after decades of exclusion.
UDW caregivers successfully end the 7% cut to our clients’ hours for one year.
2015 UDW wins legislation requiring training for law enforcement on how to better interact with people with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and substance abuse disorders – keeping people with disabilities safer in our communities.
Fight, Protect, Win! UDW caregivers will face some tough challenges in 2017, and the road ahead of us will not always be easy. However, if we keep our goals of strengthening and protecting IHSS in sight, and we work together, we can win! “Together we stand, divided we fall,” said LaTrese Lofton, who provides care for her daughter Sha’Quonna in Riverside County. “This is the time for us to fight as hard as we’ve ever fought before.” So get ready, UDW caregivers. Let’s make 2017 our best year yet. For more information about getting involved and joining the fight to protect home care, call your local office or visit www.udwa.org.
2016 Once again, we stop the 7% cut – this time through 2019. UDW caregivers fight alongside other low-wage workers for a law that increases California’s minimum wage to $15 by 2022, and gives providers paid sick days for the first time ever. We take action to fix the broken IHSS payroll system. We win a state-level audit of the problems causing paycheck and timesheet delays, and pressure the state to implement optional electronic timesheets starting in 2017.
FIGHTING BACK AGAINST THREATS TO HOME CARE
IN 2017 AND BEYOND E
lection Day 2016 has come and gone, a new President is in the White House, and the U.S. Congress is now in session. No matter how you voted in November, one thing is certain: the decisions of the new administration and Congress will impact IHSS caregivers and recipients. And if what we’ve seen so far is any indication, we’re in for quite a fight. “Medicaid pays for 55% of all IHSS funding,” said UDW caregiver Susana Saldana of Merced County. “If Obamacare is repealed, Medicaid could be next on the chopping block.” “We need to stand together to show that we’re united, that we’ll fight to protect our children, people with disabilities, and seniors.” Many UDW members share Susana’s concerns, but we also know that we have a long history of fighting back against threats to IHSS and our clients.
FIGHT, PROTECT, WIN: 17 YEARS OF UDW VICTORIES
UDW caregivers in action Back in 2009, when former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger tried to eliminate the IHSS
Betsy Herrera takes care of her mother in their home. She also brings her with her to rallies and lobby visits at the Capitol so that they can fight for IHSS together.
1999-2008 UDW caregivers win our collective bargaining rights, and transform our union to one for caregivers by caregivers. We also win direct deposit for our IHSS paychecks!
2009 UDW stops Governor Schwarzenegger’s attempt to decrease the state’s contribution to our wages and benefits and put unfair limits on who can receive care.
2010 Together we stop Governor Schwarzenegger from eliminating IHSS entirely.
program altogether, UDW caregivers stopped him. Three years later, when Governor Jerry Brown tried to cut the IHSS program by 20%, we stopped him, too. And we continue to fight back against cuts and other threats to IHSS every time the state throws them at us. (See below for a timeline of our victories!) In 2015, after the governor went back on his promise to pay us overtime, we fought back and won. Last year, for the first time in history, IHSS providers finally began receiving the overtime pay that most working Americans have enjoyed since 1938. UDW caregivers do a vital and selfless job and have always stood strong against attacks on home care and our clients. We advocate for each other, for the health and dignity of seniors and people with disabilities, and together we have had a direct role in each and every one of our victories. The threats we face in 2017 will be no different. What’s next This year, we’re already fighting back against an attempt by Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare). Because of the ACA, an estimated 75,000 UDW caregivers are now eligible for free and affordable health coverage. “The ACA is important,” said Betsy Herrera, an IHSS provider from Stanislaus County who takes care of her mother Margarita. “Both my mom
We successfully urge lawmakers We settle three lawsuits – putting an end to protect IHSS by finding new to massive IHSS cuts proposed by both governors in 2009 and 2012. funding when Governor Brown tries The settlement includes a one-year to end certain vital services and cut 8% cut, and an ongoing 7% cut. recipient hours by 12%.
We also win legislation that both ends timesheet fingerprint requirements, and requires counties to give us our background check results and appeals information.
UDW caregiver Julie Otero speaks out at a rally to protect the Affordable Care Act in Bakersfield, CA.
2013
2011
2011
and I depend on it. There is no way we would be able to get the medical care we need without it. And without Medicaid, I’d be out of a job.” Betsy is right, and she echoes the worries of many other IHSS providers as well. Attacks on the ACA are an attack on our health care, but an attack on Medicaid – which House Speaker Paul Ryan has spoken about for years – is a direct attack on IHSS. Medicaid, a federal program, provides 55% of the funding for the IHSS program. That means if Medicaid is cut, changed, or eliminated, IHSS recipients and providers will feel it.
2012 UDW and home care advocates file lawsuits to stop Governor Brown’s proposed 20% cut to IHSS.
2014
The Freedom Foundation tells union members to give themselves a raise and stop paying union dues. “They are telling providers that the union doesn’t do anything for us,” said caregiver Julie Otero of Kern County, “but who is there when our hours are taken away? ‘Giving ourselves a raise’ means not having back up and no one to fight for us – leaving UDW means we stand alone, but in unity we have strength.” LaTrese Lofton fights to protect IHSS for clients like her daughter Sha’Quonna, who lives with Angelman syndrome.
But not all of the threats we face in 2017 will come from the new administration or Congress. An out-of-state, corporate billionaire-backed, anti-home care organization known as the Freedom Foundation began targeting IHSS providers last year. The Freedom Foundation says they want to help home care providers save money by trying to convince us to leave our union, but what they don’t say is that the victories we have won threaten their agenda. Freedom Foundation claims they understand IHSS workers and our clients, but they don’t. One of their executives called caregivers a bunch of “babysitters.” “Groups like that don’t care about us or our clients, they care about power,” said UDW caregiver Sharon Duchessi of Placer County.
2015
We block Governor Brown’s attempt to limit providers to 40 hours per week and avoid paying us overtime.
After months of intense pressure by UDW caregivers, the state announces that overtime, travel time, and medical wait time pay will begin in February 2016.
2013
2015
The U.S. Department of Labor updates the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to extend overtime pay to home care workers after decades of exclusion.
UDW caregivers successfully end the 7% cut to our clients’ hours for one year.
2015 UDW wins legislation requiring training for law enforcement on how to better interact with people with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and substance abuse disorders – keeping people with disabilities safer in our communities.
Fight, Protect, Win! UDW caregivers will face some tough challenges in 2017, and the road ahead of us will not always be easy. However, if we keep our goals of strengthening and protecting IHSS in sight, and we work together, we can win! “Together we stand, divided we fall,” said LaTrese Lofton, who provides care for her daughter Sha’Quonna in Riverside County. “This is the time for us to fight as hard as we’ve ever fought before.” So get ready, UDW caregivers. Let’s make 2017 our best year yet. For more information about getting involved and joining the fight to protect home care, call your local office or visit www.udwa.org.
2016 Once again, we stop the 7% cut – this time through 2019. UDW caregivers fight alongside other low-wage workers for a law that increases California’s minimum wage to $15 by 2022, and gives providers paid sick days for the first time ever. We take action to fix the broken IHSS payroll system. We win a state-level audit of the problems causing paycheck and timesheet delays, and pressure the state to implement optional electronic timesheets starting in 2017.
Our work at the Capitol in 2017 Year after year, UDW champions legislation that improves the lives of caregivers, working families, seniors and people with disabilities – and we’re continuing that work in 2017. This year, UDW caregivers are:
Winning security for caregivers
Fixing the broken timesheet system
IHSS providers who care for our spouse or child are not currently eligible for unemployment benefits, or Social Security and Medicare when we retire. Last year, our tireless work to right this wrong meant that our communities and elected leaders were educated about this injustice. This year, we’ll continue to work together to extend these basic benefits to all caregivers.
In 2016, we helped secure an audit of the IHSS payroll process. This year, we’re sponsoring and championing legislation that uses the results of the audit to improve the payroll process so that we can get paid fairly and on time.
$2,400 this year with UDW member benefits
As home care providers, our highest priority is the health and safety of our clients. In 2017, we’re working to improve our state’s emergency response systems with the goal of preventing negative interactions between law enforcement, firefighters, and EMTs and people with cognitive or mental impairments or developmental disabilities in our local communities. In doing so, we hope to save lives and protect our loved ones.
Dear fellow IHSS providers, Together UDW caregivers negotiate better wages and benefits for our work, while also protecting our clients and loved ones by advocating for seniors and people with disabilities and improving the IHSS program. But there’s one more perk to being a member of UDW: our member benefits and discounts.
Did you know that if you took advantage of every UDW member benefit, your family could save over $2,400 this year? Our low-cost dental plan can save caregivers up to $194.50 over more expensive dental coverage. The WellCard Health Discount Card can save a family of three on average $1,000 annually. A free accidental death and dismemberment policy through American Income Life will save you another $96, and our 15% AT&T discount can save you an average of $72 on your phone bill each year. Free caregiving trainings like CPR and First Aid save us money while teaching us the tools we
3
4855 Seminole Drive San Diego, CA 92115 800-621-5016 udwa.org facebook.com/UDW twitter.com/UDWA
Winter 2017
Keeping people with disabilities safe
And we’re doing so much more! For a full list of our 2017 legislative priorities, visit www.udwa.org.
Save over
News from our union
need to give our clients the quality care they deserve. Not to mention the new free AFSCME college benefit, and so much more. Of course one of our most valuable member benefits are our free advocacy councils. Last year we helped UDW member Vera Galinha of Merced County win protective supervision for her client – an increase in 175 hours a month and back pay.
Start taking advantage of your member benefits today! Visit www.udwa.org/memberbenefits or call 1-800-621-5016 for more information. In solidarity,
Editha Adams, caregiver and UDW President
Read the full President’s Report at www.udwa.org.
DON’T FORGET: If you haven’t yet returned the IHSS Program Provider Enrollment Agreement (SOC 846) to your local county IHSS office, you must do so before April 29, 2017.
Electronic timesheets coming soon! In 2016, UDW caregivers played a pivotal role in making much needed improvements to the IHSS payroll system. With the timesheet audit victory under our belts, we continued to speak up and tell our late timesheet and paycheck stories throughout the year. The state heard us, and announced it would finally offer an electronic timesheet option in 2017. Last December, small groups of IHSS providers were able to try out the state’s electronic timesheet prototype, and offer our opinions.
or worse, led to providers being evicted from their homes. Lawmakers were appalled, and pledged to help us fix the system in 2017. We all deserve a payroll system that works, and a paycheck we can depend on for the hard work we do. Have a late paycheck story to share with lawmakers? Take our survey at bit.ly/IHSSpay.
Overall, we are excited about the improvement, and believe it will help reduce the time providers currently spend waiting for our paychecks. A pilot of the optional electronic timesheets will be rolled out in two counties in May 2017, and then to the rest of the state in July. And while electronic timesheets will be a great option for thousands of caregivers, we know that not all IHSS providers or recipients will want to use them. That’s why we must continue our work to fix the paper timesheet system, too. At a Senate Committee on Human Services hearing in Los Angeles last November, we held the Department of Social Services accountable for their role in paycheck delays – delays that have forced our families to go without for holidays,
UDW members Asifa Sohail, Debbie Dumm, Cindy Wilson, and Lidia Rodriguez try out the new electronic timesheet system on their smart phones.
IN THIS ISSUE:
PROTECTING HOME CARE IN 2017
THE LATEST ON IHSS TIMESHEETS
SAVE OVER $2,400 WITH MEMBER BENEFITS