Taken from Laphonza Butler: Dear Sisters and Brothers, As we welcome 2015, our calendars for the year to come are already filling up as we prepare to continue the work of our Dignity agenda. But before we tackle the challenges that lie ahead, it’s important that we take a moment to reflect on and grow from the incredible victories we were able to bring to the lives of caregivers, consumers, and all who call California home – victories that were only possible because of the hard work and dedication of our ULTCW members, staff, and supporters. In 2014, our members continued down the path to Dignity with a commitment to fight for Quality Jobs, Quality Healthcare, and Quality of Life for all who call California home. Our work for quality jobs was highlighted by unprecedented victories, from nursing home facility improvements and fair contracts for workers, to maintaining continuity of care for home care consumers, and winning overtime, wait time, and travel time for the first time in history for In-Home Supportive Services workers. We made tremendous strides in winning Quality Healthcare as one quarter of all Americans who lacked healthcare coverage before the Affordable Care Act now have the coverage they need.. We helped bring a Quality of Life to millions of immigrants who have lived in the shadows for decades and now have access to the light at the end of the tunnel through the President’s executive order. And we made clear that the American Dream can never be fully realized until Justice and safety prevail in every community across the Golden State and the United States. But even with such historic victories, our fight for Dignity is far from over. Looking to 2015, we do so with much excitement as we will continue to build on our members’ success and look further down the road. In addition to our work to restore the 7% cut to IHSS hours, place workers on a pathway to $15 an hour, give unorganized workers a voice in the workplace, and achieve true comprehensive immigration reform for all, we will prepare for the Presidential race in 2016 and ensure that candidates seeking the White House cannot ignore the needs of providers and consumers of long term care. We will also continue our work to create a future in which working families have access to the American Dream and are no longer living paycheck to paycheck, struggling to make ends meet because of low pay, irregularly scheduled hours, wage theft, denial of sick days, insecure retirement, and other forms of exploitation and mistreatment. As renowned computer scientist Alan Kay once said, “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” And that’s exactly what we’ll be doing in the year ahead as we invent a future where every individual is valued, where their work is rewarded, where our communities flourish, and where our families have opportunities to grow and thrive. Happiest New Year! In Solidarity, Laphonza Butler President, SEIU ULTCW
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 20:54:53 +0000
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