Dear Fellow Caregivers,
The past three months have been unlike any we’ve experienced in this country. With the pandemic upending our daily lives and protests over police killings testing the fabric of our communities, it has been hard just to get through our days. Our work as caregivers has gotten even harder: day programs and schools closed, leaving our clients irritable and needy; the state labels us “essential workers” but can’t seem to get us the supplies we need to keep ourselves and our clients safe; and on top of it all…California threatens a cut to the IHSS program. Sometimes it all seems like too much!
Sisters and brothers, I hear you. This time has tested all of us mentally and physically. It’s never been harder to be an IHSS provider.
That’s why it’s never been more important to be a UDW member.
Because of the unique, important work that we do, we are each other’s best resource during a crisis; only other care providers can truly understand the challenges of caregiving during a crisis. So if you have questions or concerns, reach out to your union. We are here for you. We will always be here for you.
In Solidarity,
Editha Adams
UDW Statewide President
President’s Report of Events, Actions and Participations
District 2 Local Board Meeting, January 14
I attended this meeting to inform our Local Board members and activists about the AFSCME convention scheduled for August
Check Signing, San Diego, January 15
I joined UDW Secretary-Treasurer Rose Nguyen at our San Diego headquarters to distribute funds for organizational activities.
California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) Action Team Monthly Meeting, San Diego, January 21
I presided over this meeting as San Diego District CAT chairperson. Nicanora Montenegro and our UDW San Diego Local Board members are part of the planning committee for the San Diego CAT Regional convention this year.
Check Signing, San Diego, January 22
I spent the day working at our San Diego headquarters, signing checks to distribute funds for organizational activities.
District 3 Leadership Meeting, Riverside, January 23
I met one-on-one with District 3 Chair Rosa Beltran and District 3 Vice Chair Desmond Prescott
District 3 Local Board Meeting, Riverside, January 23
I joined our District 3 Local Board to assist them in carrying out their duties and responsibilities for District 3 members.
Arthritis Foundation Advocacy Conference Call, January 28
I represented Southern California and our IHSS community at this gathering of advocates for those impacted by arthritis.
District 3 Leadership Academy Graduation, Riverside, January 24
I was honored to attend and present graduation certificates to the latest class of our Leadership Academy. Special thanks to UDW staff Rania and Andrew for their excellent work mentoring our members to success.
District 1 One-On-One Meetings, January 29-30
I spent two days in our San Diego headquarters meeting with members and staff on priorities and goals for our union.
UDW State of the Union, San Diego, January 31
I attended this annual event where UDW Executive Director Doug Moore addresses our statewide staff live and via zoom to talk about what UDW needs to do in the year ahead to meet the needs of our membership.
District 2 Local Board Meeting, Santa Ana, February 4
I joined our District 2 Local Board to assist them in carrying out their duties and responsibilities for District 2 members.
Check Signing, San Diego, February 5
I spent the day working at our San Diego headquarters, signing checks to distribute funds for organizational activities.
District 7 Council Meetings of the, El Centro, February 5
I attended the meetings of District 7’s Civil & Human Rights, Political, and Health and Welfare Councils to help Council members address these important issues.
District 7 Local Board Meeting, El Centro, February 6
I joined our District 7 Local Board to assist them in carrying out their duties and responsibilities for District 7 members.
Check Signing, San Diego, February 12
I spent the day working at our San Diego headquarters, signing checks to distribute funds for organizational activities.
President’s Vacation, February 17-21
I took a much-needed vacation to attend a family reunion.
California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) Board Meeting, Orange County, February 25-26
I represented UDW as CARA Vice President at this board meeting.
District 5 Local Board Meeting, February 28
I joined our District 7 Local Board to assist them in carrying out their duties and responsibilities for
Member Advocacy, March 11
Spoke on the phone with a Mira Mesa member to resolve a problem with life insurance.
IHSS Appeal, March 12
I represented my client at an IHSS state hearing appeal.
California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) Action Team Monthly Meeting Conference Call, San Diego, March 17
I presided over this call as we covered issues such as COVID-19 resources, lobby visits, and the upcoming convention.
Preparation for Video Conference, San Diego, March 17
I worked with UDW staff to prepare for upcoming conferences using video technology to replace in-person meetings due to the pandemic.
California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) Convention Committee Conference Call, March 18
I presided over this meeting held to prepare for the upcoming convention.
UDW Executive Board Meeting Video Conference, March 19
I presided as Statewide President at this regular meeting of our union’s elected leadership.
California COVID-19 AFN Leadership Coordination Call, March 19
I joined the call to learn updates on the COVID-19 pandemic and other resources.
Communications Committee Conference Call, March 20
I presided over this call with Communications Committee Chairperson Camilla Bradford as we worked to put together member resources for fighting COVID-19.
Work-From-Home, March 23
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 including communicating with a Mira Mesa member whom I had assisted with IHSS advocacy.
Tele-town Hall Preparation with UDW Team, March 24
I participated in a rehearsal for a COVID-19 tele-town hall.
B5 Culinary Arts Certificate Signing, March 24
I completed and sent certificates for graduates of our B5 Culinary Arts program
California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) Executive Committee Meeting, March 25
I represented UDW as CARA Vice President at this regularly scheduled meeting of the Executive Committee.
Tele-town hall, March 25
I joined other UDW leaders and staff to present information on COVID-19 safety and prevention, as well as UDW’s response to the pandemic, to our members.
AFN Leadership Coordination Call, March 26
I joined this call to share updates on COVID-19 related services.
Work-From-Home, March 27
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.
New Technology Preparation, March 30
I worked with UDW staff to set up new video teams for the upcoming Finance Committee meeting and Executive Board meeting.
Work-From-Home, April 1
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, including helping an Escondido member get up-to-date COVID-19 information.
UDW Staff Video Conference, April 2
I participated in this all-staff video conference about changes to working conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Finance Committee Video Conference, April 9
I presided over this meeting of the UDW Finance Committee
Member Advocacy, April 5
I took phone calls, texts and answered union-related emails, including explaining member benefits and COVID-19 information to a Chula Vista member.
Arthritis Foundation Advocacy Call, April 6
I joined this call to share information related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Technology Budgeting and Planning, April 13-14
I worked with the Finance Committee and UDW Executive Director Doug Moore on our AT&T contract and the purchase of a predictive dialer system and computer to be approved by the Executive Board. I emailed board members to inform them of the necessary purchases.
Technology Preparation, April 13
I worked with UDW staff to set up our Spitfire system for member calls.
Member Advocacy, April 14
I took phone calls, texts and answered union-related emails, including sharing COVID-19 information with an Escondido member.
Executive Board Video Conference, April 15
I met with the UDW Executive Board to review AT&T and Predictive Dialer System proposals.
District 5 County Representative Swearing-In, April 15
I was proud to swear in Dian Nicholson as District 5 County Representative.
California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) Convention Committee Conference Call, April 15
I joined this regularly scheduled monthly call to plan the upcoming convention.
COVID-19 Conference call, April 16
I joined this call to learn and share information on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reach Every Member Campaign, April 16-23
I made daily calls to participate in UDW’s campaign check on our members’ welfare during the COVID-19 crisis.
California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) Action Team Monthly Meeting, San Diego, March 21
I presided over this meeting as we covered issues such as COVID-19 resources, lobby visits, and the upcoming convention.
UDW Staff Meeting Video Conference, April 22
I joined this meeting of UDW staff to talk about current work priorities and strategies.
Check Signing, San Diego, April 22
I spent the day working at our San Diego headquarters, signing checks to distribute funds for organizational activities.
COVID-19 AFN Leadership Coordination Call, April 23
I joined this call to learn and share information on the COVID-19 pandemic.
UDW Executive Board Conference Call, April 24
I presided over this special call to discuss extremely urgent issues to the union.
Reach Every Member Campaign, April 24-May 8
I made daily calls to participate in UDW’s campaign check on our members’ welfare during the COVID-19 crisis.
UDW Executive Board Conference Call, May 7
I presided over this special call to discuss UDW’s candidate endorsements.
AB 1993 Video Legislative Hearing, May 7
I participated, through video and phone, in this hearing of our sponsored bill, AB 1993, which would expand Unemployment Insurance eligibility to parent and spouse IHSS providers.
AFN Community Leadership Call, May 7
I joined this call to learn and share important information with the AFN community.
IHSS Timesheet Training, May 8
I helped members and clients learn the basics and best practices for filling our IHSS timesheets accurately and to avoid unnecessary violations.
California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) Training and Webinar, May 15
I represented UDW as CARA Vice President at the training on how to lobby on important issues for our members.
Reach Every Member Campaign, May 11-12
I made daily calls to participate in UDW’s campaign check on our members’ welfare during the COVID-19 crisis.
District 7 Council Meetings of the, El Centro, May 12
I attended the meetings of District 7’s Civil & Human Rights, Political, and Health and Welfare Councils to help Council members address these important issues.
Check Signing, San Diego, May 13
I spent time at our San Diego headquarters, signing checks to distribute funds for organizational activities.
UDW Finance Committee Meeting, May 13
I presided over this meeting to discuss our union’s fiduciary responsibilities.
California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) Training and Webinar Conference Call , May 15
I represented UDW as CARA Vice President at the training on how to lobby on important issues for our members.
California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) Action Team One-On-One Call, May 18
I met by phone with CARA Southern California Organizer, Susan Meyer, in preparation for an upcoming Action Team meeting.
California Assembly Budget Subcommittee 1 Meeting, May 18
I joined this meeting by phone to monitor developments in the California State Budget as they pertain to IHSS and other UDW member priorities.
California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) Lobby Calls, May 18
I assisted CARA’s legislative work on behalf of our members.
AFSCME People Political Action Executive Board Meeting, May 18
I represented UDW membership at this meeting that works to enact the political priorities of AFSCME member unions such as UDW.
California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) Action Team Meeting, San Diego, May 19
I represented UDW as CARA Vice President at this regular meeting of the CARA Action Team.
Reach Every Member Campaign, May 19-May 21
I made daily calls to participate in UDW’s campaign check on our members’ welfare during the COVID-19 crisis.
Check Signing, San Diego, May 20
I spent time at our San Diego headquarters, signing checks to distribute funds for organizational activities, taking a CICA conference call, and participating in an IHSS COVID-19 webinar.
AFN Leadership Call, May 21
I joined this call to learn and share important information with the AFN community.
UDW Staff Meeting, May 22
I joined this video conference of all UDW staff to discuss work-from-home and other COVID-19 concerns.
Reach Every Member Campaign, May 26-May 29
I made daily calls to participate in UDW’s campaign check on our members’ welfare during the COVID-19 crisis.
California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) Board Conference Call, May 27
I represented UDW as CARA Vice President at this regularly scheduled board meeting.
Arthritis Foundation Board Conference Call, May 27
I represented UDW and other IHSS families who are impacted by arthritis on this regularly scheduled meeting.
