I want to wish you a happy Latine/Hispanic Heritage Month, which started on September 15th and will continue through October 15th. This month gives us the chance to embrace and appreciate the beautiful culture and powerful organizing traditions of our Latino/Latina/Latinx union family!
Our union is building a world where everyone is welcomed and respected, regardless of the language you speak, your racial and ethnic background, or your immigration status. Shoutout to 2015 member, Cecilia Rodriguez, who was recently recognized for her incredible leadership organizing for immigrant justice.
Solidarity = Victory for Michigan Home Care Workers!
Great news out of Michigan! This week, 35k home care workers are one step closer to winning back their right to unionize, which was stripped from them more than a decade ago. The Michigan House passed two historic bills, SB 790 and SB 791, recognizing the right of home care workers to once again collectively bargain to improve their jobs and lives!
Just six months ago, winning back a home care union in Michigan was just an idea, but then YOU got to work! Dozens of SEIU 2015 members went to Michigan to support organizers: knocking on doors, making phone calls, texting, lobbying, and rallying! We expect Governor Whitmer to sign both bills, and then Michigan Home Care Workers United will get going building their union working towards a first contract. This is what solidarity looks like!!
2015 is Getting Out the Vote!
Earlier this month, the long-term care workers of SEIU 2015 launched our statewide Get Out the Vote campaign with nine events throughout California! We were joined by community allies, child care providers, and endorsed candidates. Click here to see pictures from each event.
Interested in getting involved this election season? Click here to volunteer for phone banking or door knocking
| Vote for care champions up and down your ballot—we can only win improved standards in our caregiving professions with the county supervisors and state and national legislators who stand with us to improve access to care and make care jobs good jobs! Click here to learn which candidates 2015 member leaders recommend for your area! |
If you’re not yet registered to vote, there’s still time! Simply:
- Click here
- Choose your language
- Fill out the short form by October 21, 2024
Family Caregivers: Share Your Story!
November is National Family Caregivers Month – a time to honor the invaluable contributions of family caregivers. Too often, home care providers caring for family members don’t get the respect they deserve. That’s why this November, family caregivers across the country will be sharing their stories, and your union is here to support you. Click here to share your story!
Recent Nursing Home Victories
- Workers at Delano District Skilled Nursing Facility have reached a tentative agreement with management and hope to reach ratification soon. The agreement includes a 14% wage increase over 3 years, medical benefits for nearly 95% of all employees, and $1,000 bonuses for certain fiscal years.
- Several Bay Area nursing home facilities ratified strong union contracts including San Leandro Healthcare Center, Bay View Rehabilitation Hospital in Alameda, and Willow Pass Healthcare Center in Concord. These contracts represent more than 400 workers!
IHSS Providers are Taking Action
- Care workers in Ventura County rallied and shared their stories at the County Board of Supervisors to advance their fight for better working conditions. Click here to read campaign updates
- Providers in Santa Cruz County held their own rallies, demanding protected healthcare and livable wages. Click here to read our press release
- IHSS workers in San Joaquin County continue their movement for higher wages, better benefits, and equitable access to long-term care. Click here to read campaign updates.
- Siskiyou County IHSS workers are closer than ever to securing a union contract, and we will need all the support we can get as we escalate the campaign – stay tuned!
- We’re building worker power in Alameda, Lake, Los Angeles, Shasta, Solano, and Yola Counties and preparing to bargain for new IHSS contracts.
Again, I hope you have a powerful Latine Heritage Month. Together, we’re rejecting politicians who tell racist lies about immigrants in order to spread fear and division. Instead, we’re mobilizing to elect candidates whose values align with our Justice Agenda. ¡Sí, se puede!
In Solidarity,
Arnulfo De La Cruz
SEIU 2015 President