MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. – Thousands of petition cards signed by United Healthcare Workers West (UHW) members, were submitted today at a Service Employees International Union (SEIU) hearing to determine the jurisdiction of long-term care workers--nursing home and homecare workers-- in California. The cards were signed in support of a single California Local representing all long-term care workers statewide.

Sonoma County homecare worker, Christy Brooks, a UHW member submitted the cards on behalf of her brothers and sisters in UHW, prior to giving testimony at an SEIU hearing

“I thought I was alone in wanting to unite in one local for long-term care, but these petition cards show me that I am not,” Brooks said. “There are thousands more homecare and nursing home workers who want to be Stronger As One.”

The cards read “Yes, I support One SEIU Union for California long-term care workers,” and were sent to nursing home and homecare workers in California.

Currently, SEIU long-term care worker representation is spread among three locals: SEIU Local 521, UHW and the United Long-Term Care Workers’ Union. Today’s fact-finding hearing was held as part of SEIU International’s Strength Unity mandate of aligning workers along industry lines.

The United Long-Term Care Workers represents more than half of long-term care workers in California. It is the mission and firm belief of ULTCW that only through a statewide long-term care local will we have the unity, strength and power to lift up all long-term care workers.