President’s Report, Winter 2021
Dear Fellow Caregivers,
Working together in our union, we have been able to win so many important things for caregivers and our clients like paid sick days, overtime pay, training and free member benefits like IHSS advocacy and help with timesheets. These victories have helped many of us live better lives. But on January 1, 2021, one of our hardest-fought wins touched EVERY one of us: a pay raise for EVERY IHSS provider!
We did this in two ways: by organizing and winning an increase in the statewide minimum wage, and by bargaining at the county level and ensuring that minimum wage increases trigger an increase for all IHSS providers—even those whose pay is currently above minimum wage.
But while we can all celebrate the across-the-board IHSS pay raise this year, there are still too many of us living in counties where the elected officials refuse to respect us enough to work together to settle their IHSS contract. So we are working at the state level to ensure that the state budget gives counties the help they need to pay us what we deserve—and punishes those that don’t.
Elected officials like to say that caregivers are “inspiring” and “selfless”. Yes, we are those things. But we also have to pay our bills and feed our families. That’s why your union never stops fighting to raise your pay…and why you should never stop supporting your union!
In Solidarity,
Editha Adams
UDW Statewide President
President’s Report of Actions, Events and Participations
AFSCME 44th International Convention, Virtual, September 2
I led the UDW delegation in this biennial meeting of our parent union AFSCME.
Check Signing, San Diego, September 2
I spent the day working at our San Diego headquarters, signing checks to distribute funds for organizational activities.
Work- from- Home, September 3
To comply with the UDW’s pandemic response strategy of working from home whenever possible, I took phone calls, texts and answered union-related emails from my residence.
San Diego Regional Center IHSS Webinar, Virtual, September 4
I attended via zoom this IHSS webinar presented by the San Diego Regional Center where I received new information on the policies and procedures for clients and caregivers.
Executive Board Special Meeting Conference Call, September 8
I joined this conference call to discuss ballot propositions for the Executive Board to support, oppose or remain neutral on.
Checks Signing, San Diego, September 9
I spent the day working at our San Diego headquarters, signing checks to distribute funds for organizational activities.
Work- from- Home, September 10 and 11
To comply with the UDW’s pandemic response strategy of working from home whenever possible, I took phone calls, texts and answered union-related emails from my residence.
Finance Committee Meeting, September 14
I attended this meeting of UDW elected leaders who make important decisions about our union’s budget.
E- Board Meeting, September 15
I presided as Statewide President at this regular meeting of our union’s elected leadership.
Checks Signing, September 16
I spent the day working at our San Diego headquarters, signing checks to distribute funds for organizational activities.
Communication Committee Meeting, September 17
Joined the zoom call for the Communication Committee meeting conducted by Communications Committee Chair Camilla Bradford.
District 1 Membership Meeting, San Diego, September 17
Attended the District 1 membership meeting in San Diego
I joined our San Diego members for this regularly scheduled meeting.
Work- from- Home, September 17 and 18
To comply with the UDW’s pandemic response strategy of working from home whenever possible, I took phone calls, texts and answered union-related emails from my residence.
District 7 Membership Meeting, September 21
I attended this regularly scheduled meeting of our District 7 membership where I was able to share some information on AFSCME’s retiree program.
District 3 Membership Meeting, September 22
I attended this regularly scheduled meeting of our District 3 membership where I was able to share some information on AFSCME’s retiree program.
Checks Signing, September 23
I spent the day working at our San Diego headquarters, signing checks to distribute funds for organizational activities.
Work- from- Home, September 24
To comply with the UDW’s pandemic response strategy of working from home whenever possible, I took phone calls, texts and answered union-related emails from my residence.
Special E- Board conference Call, September 25
I met in special session with the UDW Executive Board.
Work- from- Home, September 28 and 29
To comply with the UDW’s pandemic response strategy of working from home whenever possible, I took phone calls, texts and answered union-related emails from my residence.
Checks Signing, September 30
I spent the day working at our San Diego headquarters, signing checks to distribute funds for organizational activities.
California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) Action Team One-on-One Meeting, San Diego, October 1
I met one-on-one meeting with CARA staff Susan Meyer in preparation for the CARA Regional Convention.
CARA Action Team San Diego Regional Convention, San Diego, October 2
I conducted the CARA Regional Convention in San Diego where we were joined by special guests San Diego Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez and key note speaker State Senate Pro Tem Toni Atkins. we have elected leaders Assembly woman Lorena and BOS Nathan Fletcher, Assembly woman Shirley Weber and our key note speaker Toni Atkins, It was a successful convention with the participation of our San Diego local Board leaders and Imperial county members.
Work- from- Home, October 5 and 6
To comply with the UDW’s pandemic response strategy of working from home whenever possible, I took phone calls, texts and answered union-related emails from my residence.
District 2 Membership Meeting, October 7
I attended this regular meeting of our District 2 members and shared with them information on the AFSCME retiree chapter for home care workers.
Checks Signing, October 7
I spent the day working at our San Diego headquarters, signing checks to distribute funds for organizational activities.
Power Hour Training, October 7
I attended this online training on using digital tools to help our members hosted by UDW’s IT department.
Work- from- Home, October 8 and 9
To comply with the UDW’s pandemic response strategy of working from home whenever possible, I took phone calls, texts and answered union-related emails from my residence.
UDW Staff Video Conference, October 12
I participated in this all-staff video conference about working conditions.
UDW Predictive Dialer Training, October 12
I attended this online training to learn how to use the phone system for our upcoming Get-Out-the-Vote (GOTV) election calls.
Get-Out-the-Vote (GOTV) calling to Minnesota, Iowa and California, October 12, 13 and 14
I joined UDW staff and member volunteers to make election calls in support of candidates who support our issues.
Checks Signing, October 14
I spent the day working at our San Diego headquarters, signing checks to distribute funds for organizational activities.
UDW Predictive Dialer Training for Executive Board, October 15
I joined the UDW Executive Board and other union members for this online training to learn how to use the phone system for our election calls.
GOTV calling to Minnesota, Iowa and California, October 16
I joined UDW staff and member volunteers to make election calls in support of candidates who support our issues.
San Diego and Imperial County Food Distribution, October 17
I joined other union members to help distribute food at the Paloma College in San Marcos
GOTV calling to Minnesota, Iowa and California, October 18, 19 and 20
I joined UDW staff and member volunteers to make election calls in support of candidates who support our issues.
CARA Action Team One-on-One Meeting, San Diego, October 19
I met one-on-one meeting with CARA staff Susan Meyer in preparation for the CARA Regional Convention.
CARA Action Team Meeting, San Diego, October 20
I presided over this meeting as we covered issues important to our members.
Checks Signing, October 21
I spent the day working at our San Diego headquarters, signing checks to distribute funds for organizational activities.
GOTV calling to Minnesota, Iowa and California, October 21, 22 and 23
I joined UDW staff and member volunteers to make election calls in support of candidates who support our issues.
International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Invest Care in Now Webinar Online Preparation, October 26
I joined this webinar test call in preparation for the nationwide Invest Care Now Facebook Live event.
GOTV calling to Minnesota, Iowa and California, October 26 and 27
I joined UDW staff and member volunteers to make election calls in support of candidates who support our issues.
Checks Signing, October 28
I spent the day working at our San Diego headquarters, signing checks to distribute funds for organizational activities.
International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Invest in Care Now Facebook Live Event, October 29
I joined this online panel to talk about the importance of long-term care policy worldwide.
Get-Out-the-Vote Calling to Minnesota, Iowa and California, October 29, 30, 31 and November 1 and 2
I joined UDW staff and member volunteers to make election calls in support of candidates who support our issues.
San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor GOTV Rally, San Diego, November 3
I joined other UDW members and our friends in the labor community to hear UDW Executive Director, Doug Moore, and others speak on the importance of the union vote.
Checks Signing, November 4
I spent the day working at our San Diego headquarters, signing checks to distribute funds for organizational activities.
CARA Action Team CAT San Diego Special Board Meeting, November 5
I attended this meeting of the CARA CAT to represent our UDW members interests on that board.
District 7 Local Board Meeting, November 6
I joined our District 7 members to talk about preparation for the upcoming Provider Appreciation event. I conducted the meeting with the approval of the local board due to lack of quorum.
Messaging for Persuasion Communication Training, Online, November 9
I attended this presentation put on by the UDW Communications Department on how to become a more effective communicator.
Work- from- Home, November 10, 12, 13, 16 and 17
To comply with the UDW’s pandemic response strategy of working from home whenever possible, I took phone calls, texts and answered union-related emails from my residence.
Checks Signing, November 18
I spent the day working at our San Diego headquarters, signing checks to distribute funds for organizational activities.
Finance Committee Meeting, November 19
I presided over this meeting of UDW’s Finance Committee as we discussed issues related to our union’s fiscal business.
District 7 Provider Appreciation Event and Membership Meeting, November 19
I attended this yearly Provider Appreciation Month event in honor of the work of District 7 caregivers.
