ULTCW
SEIU United Long Term Care Workers
ULTCW
report
PRESIDENT'S REPORT: Staying with Our Plan
By Laphonza Butler, President, SEIU ULTCW
At the outset of this year, we had
a set of goals for ULTCW to reach.
Some were about challenges we
expected to face – like the Governor’s
proposal to eliminate 87% of the
in-home care services in the state.
Others were about how we wanted
to position ourselves in communities
and with partner organizations to
start building a movement for social
and economic justice–such as Fresh
Start and One Nation. Still others
were about deepening the strength
of our union while cultivating
leadership opportunities, such as our
Nursing Home organizing campaign,
CA Primary campaign, Northern
California campaign and Leadership
ULTCW MEMBER
VOTER GUIDE
ULTCW members will have the
opportunity to rebuild California this
November at the ballot box. Official
voter guide enclosed!
(continued on page 2)
Academy launch. And finally some
things we could not ignore the impact
of–like Arizona’s SB 1070 law.
So now, in this last quarter of 2010,
we are “coming around the bend,” as
they say. And we’ve done all of those
things. It’s remarkable, actually. And
we’ve managed to move that threat
of 87% cuts to 3%. But we’re not
finished. There is this thing called
Election Day coming. And we
know how vitally important these
races are. From state legislature
to Congress, Attorney General to
Governor, we have a very serious
stake in the outcome (see article on
Elections inside). And so, we must
MEMBERS ATTEND
"DEMAND CHANGE DAY”
FOR ONE NATION AND GET
OUT THE VOTE IN NOV 2
ELECTIONS
ULTCW members joined thousands
of Los Angeles area residents
in fighting to put America back
together on the morning of October 2
(continued on page 4)
October 2010
build on all the
momentum we’ve
created, draw on
every bit of energy
and time we have,
and complete this
part of our plan–
which will allow for a fresh start for us
all in 2011.
In a speech this spring, I said that
we were on a “Journey to Justice.”
Well, we’re not there yet, but if we
had a GPS navigation system for it, I
think it would be easy to say we are
headed in the right direction. Let’s
keep going.
Fresh Start Festival Helps
Families Get Ready
to Go Back to School
Responding to the needs of local
families and children during the
economic downturn, ULTCW kicked
off the Labor Day weekend in Los
(continued on page 5)
 SEIU ULTCW VOTER GUIDE
HOLDING POLITICIANS ACCOUNTABLE

It’s Time To Rebuild California!

VOTE NOVEMBER 2ND
On November 2nd, we have the opportunity to rebuild California by electing a team of leaders who
can move our state forward while protecting long term care. Based on input from our members and
their record of support for working families, we recommend the following candidates…

Jerry Brown Gavin Newsom Kamala Harris Tom Torlakson Dave Jones

Governor Lieutenant Attorney Superintendent of Insurance

Governor General Public Instruction Commissioner

SEIU California State Candidate Endorsements

For a full list of endorsed candidates running for US Congress, California Board of Equalization,
California State Senate, and the California State Assembly, please visit www.SEIU-ULTCW.org.

KEY DATES:
LAST DAY TO REGISTER
TO VOTE: OCT. 18

SPECIAL NEW CITIZEN VOTER

REGISTRATION PERIOD:
OCT. 19 – OCT. 26

Jerry Brown speaks with ULTCW members

LAST DAY TO REQUEST A
VOTER BY MAIL BALLOT:
OCT. 26

LAST DAY TO REQUEST A

VOTER BY MAIL BALLOT IN
PERSON: NOV. 2

ELECTION DAY: TUESDAY,

NOV 2
(Polls will be open from 7:00 am to
8:00 pm)
mecare
day” in the shoes of ho
Kamala Harris “walks a
provider Wendy Ko
 VOTER RESOURCE GUIDE

HOLDING POLITICIANS ACCOUNTABLE

In order to rebuild California, it’s important that we all vote this
November. To help answer questions you may have and make you
aware of important dates and deadlines, we’ve put together the
following voter resource guide. If you have additional questions or
need assistance, please call the Secretary of State office
at (800) 345-8683 or visit www.sos.ca.gov.

HOW DO I REGISTER TO VOTE?

If you’re not already registered to vote, you have until October 18, 2010, to register to vote
in the November 2nd general election. Your Voter Registration Form must be postmarked
by October 18th or delivered to the Department of Motor Vehicles or any National Voter
Registration Act designated agency.

A voter registration form can be filled out online at the Secretary of State website
(www.sos.ca.gov) or picked up at your county elections office, library, or U.S. Post Office.

HOW DO I VOTE BY MAIL?

If you are a registered voter and would prefer to vote-by-mail for the November 2nd election,
your application must be received by October 26, 2010. You can use the application printed on
your Sample Ballot that you’ll receive prior to the election, or you can write your county elections
office to request one.

IF I’M A NEW CITIZEN, HOW DO I REGISTER TO VOTE?

If you become a new citizen after October 18, 2010, you can still vote in the November 2nd
general election by going to your county elections office no later than October 26, 2010, and
showing proof of citizenship and declaring that you have established residency in California.
If you became a new citizen before October 18, 2010, simply follow the regular voter
registration guidelines.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHERE TO VOTE?

Not sure of where to vote on November 2nd? Your polling location can be found on the
sample ballot you receive in the mail or by contacting your county elections office. A listing of
County Election Offices can be found at http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_d.htm

ULTCW United
Long Term Care For more information,
Workers
visit www.SEIU-ULTCW.org
 (continued from page 1)
running an effective organization

MEMBERS ATTEND “DEMAND CHANGE DAY” FOR

ONE NATION AND GET OUT THE VOTE IN NOV 2 ELECTIONS
activism, engagement and, most importantly, working
to get out the vote in November and in 2012.

“You’ve heard by now how hard times are. The struggles

folks are facing, folks of all stripes. And you’ve looked
back on the sense of hope we felt two years ago,” said
Laphonza Butler, President, ULTCW (United Long Term
Care Workers). “But are you ready to do something
about it? Are you ready to demand the change we
voted for?”
(continued on page 8)

My Observations from
the Cross Country
for the One Nation California “Demand Change Day”
at Los Angeles City College. The event, sponsored One Nation Blogmobile
by ULTCW along with dozens of partners around the By Jimmie Taylor, ULTCW member and participant in the
state, was part of the One Nation Working Together One Nation California Blogmobile
March on Washington, which happened on the same
Jimmie Taylor, a member
day. Many ULTCW members helped with the event,
of ULTCW, participated
volunteering at the event itself or afterwards at the day in the One Nation
of canvassing. “Blogmobile,” a RV trip
in which six Californians
Speakers included local activists and One Nation drove from Los Angeles
partners, including leaders from the NAACP, the to the One Nation march
immigration rights movement, the LGBT community, in Washington, DC. They
labor and more. Actors Danny Glover, Anne-Marie stopped in Phoenix,
Albuquerque, Oklahoma
Johnson, Mike Farrell, and Valerie Harper, and
City, Memphis and
entertainers Jennifer Johns and Tom Morello, the Atlanta to speak to average Americans about their experiences
Nightwatchman, also participated. Artist Derek Gores, and wrote about them for a One Nation blog. Along the way,
whose work has been shown in various California they focused on immigration, homelessness, alternative
galleries, created a public interactive display that energies, education and civil rights.
symbolized unity and the struggles of today’s economy
through its design as a collage of photos. I went on this trip to try to make a difference at the One Nation
March. I truly believe we need to pull together as a whole to
make a difference, and I felt the March would be a good place
The event’s message was change, the change that we to start. It will hopefully mean a difference to our homeless,
voted for in 2008 and the change that we still hope our immigrants, our schools and the working people trying to
will come. Speakers spoke about their own personal feed their kids.
stories, such as how they have been affected by the
economy, lost their home, dreamed of citizenship and But in the end, the journey itself was just as meaningful as
fought for a quality education for their children. These the march. Meeting people in person along the way is so
stories emphasized that there is still work to be done to much different than seeing people’s problems on television.
When you are there, you really can see what people are going
attain the hopeful change we voted for in 2008.
through and it really affects you more. You really see that
people are going through the same things that you are.
Working for the Change in 2008…in 2010
Speakers then focused on what members can do to (continued on page 8)
ensure that that kind of change will come, in other
words how “we can be the change.” They encouraged
(continued from page 1)

Fresh Start Festival Helps Families Get Ready

to Go Back to School
Earlier in the day, the union hosted a members-only political
forum attended by Democratic gubernatorial candidate
Jerry Brown and five aspiring California Assembly
members: Ricardo Lara, Holly Mitchell, Das Williams, Linda
Jones, and Darcel Woods.

The idea for the Fresh Start Festival came in response

to the economic struggles facing California families. In
LA County alone, 655,000 residents are without work –
pushing the unemployment rate to 13.4 percent. Over
2.7 million live without health insurance and therefore go
without any form of preventative care. And the public
school system is facing a $640 million deficit — leaving
children and classrooms without the supplies they need to
be successful.
U.S. Representative Maxine Waters hands out backpacks to
Another goal of the festival was to show a new side of the
families at the Fresh Start Festival.
union to our neighbors in Los Angeles. Because while our
Angeles by hosting the Fresh Start Working Families members know ULTCW as the union that advocates for
Community Festival — a free event that drew an estimated the rights of home care workers and their clients, many
6,000 people. people in neighboring areas like Filipino Town, Korea Town
and Los Feliz had little idea about the organization
The festival was meant to give families a fresh start “for headquartered right down the road from them. So Fresh
the school year, for the community and for California’s Start was the way to re-introduce ULTCW as a group of
economy.” Volunteers provided children with back-to- people committed to helping working families in these
school backpacks and school supplies, along with haircuts tough economic times.
for boys and nail painting for girls. The event also featured
health screenings, a picnic-style lunch and a variety of The festival offered a wide variety of entertainment,
colorful, engaging family entertainment. All free of charge. including: music by popular Cumbian band Very Be
Careful, MC duties by KCRW DJ Jeremy Sole, castle
“There are thousands of families who have never been bouncers, face-painting, street dancing, dragon dancing,
more in need of getting a fresh start than there are today,” juggling, drumming classes, group photo stand and a
said Laphonza Butler, President, ULTCW “And what better ULTCW purple mascot.
time than the Labor Day weekend to let them know that
they’re not alone and that we’re here for them.” And for families, the festival’s free services featured
health screenings such as blood pressure checks, eye
Speakers at the event included U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, exams and chair massages. There were also booths with
SEIU President Mary Kay Henry, who served as the Grand representatives from a wide variety of local non-profit and
Marshall for the community-based organizations. All donated their time
event, and LA City and services.
Council member Eric
Garcetti. All of these “Today was the perfect example of what being a part of
speakers also pitched a union is all about, “ said Julie Chow, Vice Preseident,
in alongside staff and ULTCW. “It’s about coming together to not only raise
volunteers— handing awareness of a need, but to be part of the solution.”
out backpacks to
school children, For more information on the Fresh Start event, see the
among other duties. ULTCW website: http://www.seiu-ultcw.org/Fresh_Start_
Darcel Woods, ca Festival_Draws_Thousands.aspx
ndidate for
Assembly (Distric
t 59)
State Budget Update
Severe Cuts to In-Home Care in State Budget Avoided, due
to Member Efforts
On October 6, 2010, – 98 days past its
deadline– the Governor and state legislature
announced that they had reached an
agreement on the state budget that would
bridge a $19 billion deficit. The Governor’s
initial budget proposed the near elimination
of the IHSS program back in January, but the
final budget contains just a three percent cut
to recipient hours. This represents a victory
for home care recipients and providers. One
key reason that the cuts to the IHSS program
were less severe than originally proposed
is due to the collaborative efforts of the
legislature and a coalition of caregiver,
recipients and seniors, including ULTCW,
to pass the Personal Care IHSS Quality
Assurance Revenue Fund. This fund secures
$190 million in additional federal funding for
the home care program in California.

Member Political Organizers

Members are taking an active role in helping to elect Jerry
Brown for Governor and Kamala Harris for Attorney General
through ULTCW’s Member Political Organizer program.
This member-to-member program enables members, who
are asked to work four hours shifts, to help elect endorsed
statewide candidates through phone banking or precinct
walking. The goal is to try to get decided voters to the polls
and to persuade undecided ones to come out and support
the candidates. “Two hundred members so far have signed
our pledge cards and committed to working shifts,” says
Kiya Stokes, Political Director, ULTCW. “Our goal is to get
350 members engaged in the program.”

If you are interested in participating, please call the Member Action Committee
at 1-877-my-ultcw to sign up.

Leadership Academy
The ULTCW Leadership Academy is proud
to announce its second graduating class!
On September 26th nineteen members of
the ULTCW Executive Board completed the
three day leadership development program. A
recommendation from the M.O.V.E. committee,
the Leadership Academy was created to provide
ULTCW members with the skills and tools needed
to be active union leaders. The academy plans to
offer a new class to ULTCW member leaders and
activists in the near future.
 UNITING WORKERS
AROUND ULTCW
Giving California nursing home workers a voice!
In early summer, 80 ULTCW members (both nursing
home and homecare) started working together as part of
an organizing blitz focused on the thousands of nursing
home workers in California who are denied a voice on the
job. Through their dedication and determination to make
sure that no voice goes unheard, these ULTCW members
have been working hard to make sure that nursing home
workers exercise their right to be represented.

In just a few short months their efforts seem to have paid

off as we have welcomed hundreds of new nursing home
members to ULTCW through victories at Imperial Care,
Country Villa Seal Beach, Centinela West, Centinela East,
and LifeHOUSE. But even with such great victories under
their belts, their work to organize other nursing home
workers continues.
Imperial workers celebrate victory.
Welcome to all of our new members and congratulations
to our member organizers for continuing to give workers
a voice!

COMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

PowerPAC
PowerPAC, a nonprofit created to champion democracy For more information,
and social justice in states and communities across the visit www.PowerPAC.org.
country, was a significant coalition partner in the creation of You may also call their
One Nation Working Together activities in California. They San Francisco office at
were consistently a partner that not only helped anchor this (415) 442-0940 or the Los
work in California but utilized their own networks in the state Angeles office at (213)
to connect important communities of color, immigrants 489-3776.
and students to One Nation activities. We look forward to
continued work with them.

To get the the most up to the date news at ULTCW, go to

www.seiu-ultcw.org
(continued from page 4)
MEMBERS ATTEND
"DEMAND CHANGE DAY”
FOR ONE NATION AND GET
OUT THE VOTE IN NOV 2
ELECTIONS
Actor Danny Glover inspired the
crowd with a fiery speech as well. His
message, with fists pounding in the
air, was to take this movement into
November and beyond.
“We are going to stand together.
We are going to fight together. We
are going to win together. Because
this democracy belongs to us, this
democracy is ours. This nation is
ours, and we are going to win.”
Getting out the Vote in
November and in 2012
The hard work began shortly after
the morning event when members
received get out the vote training
and took vans to various precincts to
canvass. Other members participated
(continuado de la página 4)
Miembros asisten a
“Demand Change Day”
(DIA PARA EXIJIR UN
CAMBIO) PARA UNA NACION
Y SALGA A VOTAR EN LAS
ELECCIONES EL 2 DE NOV
hace dos años.” “¿Pero estas listo
para hacer algo al respecto? ¿Estas
listo para reclamar el cambio por el que
votaste?”
El actor Danny Glover inspiro a la
multitud con un ardiente discurso
también. Lanzando puños al aire su
mensaje fue de llevar este movimiento
a noviembre y más allá.”Vamos a
mantenernos juntos. Vamos a pelear
justos. Vamos a ganar juntos. Por que
esta democracia nos pertenece, esta
democracia es nuestra. Esta nación es
nuestra, y vamos a ganar.”
Salir a votar en noviembre y como Una Nación: Vaya a: http://
en el 2012
El trabajo duro comenzó poco
después del evento de la mañana
cuando los miembros recibieron el
in a phone bank at the event to
reach out to potential voters.
By reaching out to potential voters,
members were able to speak about
how important this election is to
their future.
“I was really glad to be able to
participate in the local rally. It was
really great to be with all the other
union members and to be able to
hear the inspirational speeches at
the event," said Joyce Hayashi,
ULTCW member. “I think it will be
a good jumping off point for the
results we want on November 2.”
For more about One Nation
California go to: http://www.
s e i u - u l t c w. o r g / T h o u s a n d s _
Gather_in_California_for_One_
Nation_Working_Together__Day_
of_Action_.aspx
entrenamiento, conseguir el voto y
tomaron varios vans a precintos para
hacer propaganda electoral. Otros
miembros participaron en hacer
llamadas telefónicas en el evento
para conseguir votantes potenciales.
Al conseguir votantes potenciales
los miembros pudieron decir que tan
importante es esta elección para su
futuro.
“Estaba realmente contenta de
poder participar en el rally local.
Era realmente maravilloso estar con
otros miembros del sindicato y poder
escuchar los discursos de inspiración
del evento,” dijo Joyce Hayashi,
miembro de la ULTCW. “Creo que va
hacer un buen punto de comienzo
para los resultados que queremos el
2 de noviembre.”
Para más información sobre California
www.seiu-ultcw.org/Thousands_
Gather_in_California_for_One_
Nation_Working_Together_Day_of_
Action_.aspx
(continued from page 4)
There were two stops that had
the greatest effect on me. The first
was Albuquerque, New Mexico,
where I saw the horrible effects of
homelessness first hand. When
we visited Cuidando Los Ninos, a
daycare for homeless children, we
saw kids that had to go through
rehabilitation to learn how to walk
or crawl because they had spent so
much time sitting in a car seat while
living in their car. The other stop
was Memphis, where we visited the
charter school Omni Prep. As we
talked to the children many made
comments about how grateful they
were to be attending the school. This
made me realize that children really
want to learn, and that they just need
the right environment to succeed.
Overall, I found this trip to Washington
D.C. to be very enlightening. I am
glad I did it, as I made a lot of new
friends during our journey through
the six different states. It was a great
experience to learn how the rest of
the country is dealing with problems
similar to those in California.
(continuado de la página 4)
Hubieron dos paradas que tuvieron
el mayor efecto en mí. La primera fue
Albuqurque, New Mexico, donde vi
los terribles efectos de estar sin hogar,
a primera vista. Cuando visitamos
Cuidando Los Niños una guardería
para niños sin hogar vimos a niños que
tenían que hacer rehabilitación para
aprender como caminar, gatear por
que pasaron mucho tiempo en un porta
bebe por que vivían en el carro. La otra
parada fue Memphis, done visitamos la
escuela preparatoria charter Omni Prep.
Mientras hablábamos a los niños, varios
hicieron comentarios acerca de que tan
agradecidos eran de asistir a la escuela.
Esto me hizo pensar que los niños
realmente quieren aprender y que ellos
solo necesitan el medio ambiente para
tener buenos resultados.
En general, encontré este viaje a
Washington D.C. muy instructivo, estoy
contenta de haberlo echo por que hice
muchas amistades durante nuestro
viaje a través de seis diferentes estados
fue una gran experiencia de aprender
como el resto del país esta manejando
los problemas similares a aquellos en
California.