As you’ve probably heard, we received some big news recently: President Biden stepped aside from the presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. SEIU International is grateful for Biden’s leadership and is pleased to support Harris as a champion for working families. Click here to read the statement from International President April Verrett on the endorsement.
Here at 2015, we’re ALL IN – click here to download a special Zoom background if you’re a Caregiver for Kamala.
And I hope you’ve had a Happy Disability Pride Month! July is a time to honor the diverse experiences and contributions of people with disabilities. I’m so proud to be part of a union that is working to combat ableism and create a truly accessible society. Disability Justice principles are foundational to creating a Future of Care where everyone can thrive.
Powerful Political Engagement
Our union is also dedicated to political activism. Together, we’ll work to elect long-term care champions up and down the ballot. I’m thrilled to share that during the March primary elections more than 800 SEIU 2015 members contributed 6,250 volunteer hours, knocked on over 50,000 doors, and made more than 300,000 phone calls to voters. We helped elect some amazing leaders, including several notable women of color.
This November, we aim to have even more members join our voter outreach efforts to ensure all registered voters can vote easily.
Together we’ll continue to mobilize our communities for the upcoming elections – and I want to remind you that we’re hosting Democracy Schools across the state to deepen our engagement. Click here to RSVP for a Democracy School near you.
An essential way to get involved with our political activism is through contributing to our Caregivers Action Fund. All donations go towards electing long-term care champions in offices throughout California. As we gear up for our general election, we have an opportunity to ensure working families are represented at all levels of government. Click here to contribute to our Caregivers Action Fund.
Building a Strong Union
We are organizing long-term care workers across all industries to grow our union and develop member leaders. Recently, Covenant Post Acute in Fresno joined the SEIU 2015 family — welcome!
We’re also supporting home care workers in Michigan, with dozens of SEIU 2015 members traveling there to show solidarity and attend events. Click here to learn more about our support of Michigan Home Care Workers United.
Improving Care Jobs
We are committed to improving care jobs and access to care. This month, nursing home workers across the state held “sticker actions” to support the Workforce and Quality Incentive Program (WQIP), which aims to bring state funding incentives to facilities meeting staffing standards and improving care quality. Click here to view photos of nursing home workers taking a stand.
In home care news, Fresno IHSS providers rallied for higher wages and healthcare, Yuba IHSS providers reached a tentative agreement with the County, and Mendocino County IHSS providers won a new contract! Click here to read press coverage of our Mendocino victory.
In other cool news: the San Francisco Living Wage Coalition honored our Executive Vice President Kim Evon with the Labor Woman of the Year Award for her leadership championing workers rights and empowering others to become leaders in their own communities. Congratulations to our EVP – we are so grateful for your continued dedication to building worker power. Click here to view photos from the event.
Advancing Justice in Our Communities
It’s heartbreaking and infuriating to report another senseless police shooting of an unarmed Black woman who called for help. Sonya Massey was shot and killed on July 6 at her home in Illinois after calling 911. Read my statement here. We will continue to demand justice.
We’re working to elect care champions and pass laws that align with our values and priorities. Our union endorses a YES vote on Proposition 3, the Freedom to Marry measure, and we’re supporting Measure A in Los Angeles County for affordable housing and critical services.
Finally, when I think about achieving justice in our communities, I think a lot about peace and safety. The attempted assassination of former President Trump is a harsh reminder that we must stand together against gun violence.
In Solidarity,
Arnulfo De La Cruz
SEIU 2015 President