On November 5, our nation faces a pivotal election. The future of our democracy is in our hands, the voters. Beyond the rhetoric we’ll see on television and online in the coming months, it’s crucial to remember that we’re voting not only for the future of our country but also all care workers, our families, and our communities.
The trajectory of care work in this country is up to us. Will we elect leaders who stand up for labor and recognize that home care and child care workers are the backbone of our economy? Will we choose leaders who understand that for our country to grow, thrive, and survive, they must advocate for a bold agenda on the care economy?
Earlier this year, UDW members, including Sabrina Bishop, San Diego’s District Co-Chair, traveled to Washington, DC, to advocate for essential change to our care economy. As she stood among hundreds of care workers and President Biden, Sabrina declared, “I’m going to put on my tennis shoes, put on my green shirt, and fight for what is right because Care Can’t Wait!”
Sabrina knows the fight won’t be easy, but she’s committed to giving it her all—and as proud care workers, we should all give this fight our all, too.
In 2017, when the Trump administration attempted to strip UDW members of their right to unionize and negotiate contracts, we united to protect our programs. We resisted every action aimed at undermining our efforts, and we prevailed.
We cannot go backward; we must continue to move forward. September 17 is National Register to Vote Day. It’s up to us to register and vote to protect home care and child care and to elect leaders who value care work and support labor from day one.
Visit www.udw.org/endorsements to see member-endorsed candidates.
