Monthly Updates from your Union
March is Women’s History Month, and we have a lot to celebrate! After all, our union was founded by smart, loving and courageous women—primarily women of color—who fought for long-term care workers to have the same union rights as other workers.
Celebrating Powerful Union Women
We are also celebrating some recent and well-deserved public recognition for our members and allies:
- San Francisco SEIU 2015 member Daisy McArthur received the Bay Area Jefferson Award in recognition of her life of service helping older adults and people with disabilities. Click here to learn more.
- Huntington Park Vice Mayor Karina Macias (our long-time ally) was named 4th District Woman Of The Year by LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn. Click here to learn more.
This is What Democracy Looks Like!
In early March, SEIU 2015 members mobilized in communities across the state to get-out-the-vote for the California Primary Elections. We know we must elect candidates who will put care first, and you all flexed some serious electoral power:
- 800 SEIU 2015 members participated in the union’s voter outreach program
- Together, you provide 6,250 election activism hours
- You knocked on 50,000 doors
- And made 300,000 phone calls
Because of your fierce activism, many of our endorsed candidates will now advance to the General Election in November: click here for more details.
We also succeeded in passing Proposition 1 (Treatment Not Tents!), which will expand mental health and substance use disorder services for Californians in crisis, including housing for those experiencing homelessness. These outcomes are an example of the power we have when we invest in each other and make our voices and vote count at the ballot box.
Raising Standards for IHSS Providers
We’ve recently had several great contract victories across the state:
In other counties, we’re just getting started in our campaigns, and of course in some counties where the disrespect for our work runs high, we are in a determined push for more.
With statewide bargaining, our home care members will be able to drive standards across the entire state, not just county by county. One table. One big, strong negotiation.
Action Alert: Safe Staffing Saves Lives
Last year, the Biden administration proposed strong rules to ensure safe staffing in nursing homes throughout the country. SEIU 2015 members and allies spoke out in support of these rules because they will protect nursing home workers and residents. As a result, California nursing home workers, residents and allies submitted nearly 3,000 comments in support.
But we recently learned that Republicans in the House of Representatives have proposed legislation that would kill the proposed safe staffing standard. We can’t let this happen.
Please take action today: Click here to tell your member of Congress to support federal minimum staffing standards for nursing homes!
In Solidarity,
Arnulfo De La Cruz
SEIU Local 2015 President