UDW Monthly News: June

A Message From Home Care Provider Angie Nguyen, District 2 Chair  

I want to acknowledge the dedication each of you showed throughout the primary election. While our endorsed gubernatorial candidate didn’t advance, we helped lift powerful champions for home care and child care — including Jane Kim, now leading the race for insurance commissioner, and Richard Barrera, who’s heading into November’s fight for state superintendent. Our work continues to face constant challenges, and the most powerful way we push back is by staying engaged, sharing our stories, and strengthening our union through active participation!


Top Priority: UDW Statement Following Tom Steyer’s Concession in California Governor’s Race

Tom Steyer’s campaign lifted up the voices of Care Workers in California and put our needs front and center. While we’re disappointed he narrowly missed the November ballot, we are grateful for the respect he showed our work. We also congratulate Xavier Becerra and look forward to making sure the Democratic front‑runner stands with our workforce every step of the way. Read our full statement here.  


Victories Powered by Member Strength: We Made Our Voices Heard!

  • Primary Election Campaign Impact: Together, we made nearly 13,000 member contacts through phone calls and canvassing! A powerful reminder of what care workers can accomplish when we take actiontogether and our efforts helped drive key victories up and down the ballot.
  • New Placer County IHSS Contract: A three-year agreement effective now through December 2027, including a wage increase and an increase in annual PPE funding. For additional details, click here

Child Care Providers Take Action in Sacramento

Child care providers from across California gathered in Sacramento this month to demand fair pay and stronger protections for working families’ access to care. We’re calling on state legislators and Governor Newsom to pass a budget that funds child care slots, guarantees the same 4.31% COLA as other educators, and implements prospective payments to stabilize the system.


Your UDW Digital Membership Card is Coming Soon!

Beginning in July, you’ll be able to download your UDW digital membership card directly to your phone for easier access and real‑time updates. It’s a simple, secure way to stay connected. Keep an eye out for your card through your email and text.

Celebrating Pride Month

The LGBTQIA+ rights movement and the labor movement have always fought for dignity, fairness, and the freedom to live and work without fear. As UDW members, we carry that legacy forward, organizing for better pay, safer workplaces, and the right to be seen and respected. Read more here


Join the UDW Pride Committee!

This Pride Month, we invite you to do more than celebrate—join us in building a stronger, more caring union family. Your presence, your voice, and your solidarity truly make a difference. If you’d like to connect with other LGBTQIA+ affirming UDW members, email the Pride Committee at udwpridemembers@udw.org.  


Resolution Supporting Somali Community Passes Unanimously

San Diego City Council voted unanimously to stand with our Somali community and condemn racist harassment targeting Somali Americans, including child care providers. Because we spoke up, Somali child care providers and children can move forward with greater safety, dignity, and freedom from discrimination. 

Member Spotlight: Home Care Provider Laura Flores

Laura’s caregiving journey began in 2022 with an unexpected friendship with an unhoused man named Leobardo Juarez. She later cared for a blind woman who also changed her life. Both have since passed, but their impact stays with her. Today, Laura continues her calling by caring for her parents in Bakersfield. Read her full story here


Take Action: Stand Up for IHSS!

The federal government is withholding $1.3 billion from California’s IHSS program, funding that supports our pay, our hours, and the care that keeps our clients safe at home. Without it, we could face cuts, delays, and major disruptions. Add your voice and show the real impact of IHSS by sharing your story here.