Celebrate 75 years of improving healthcare workers lives!

75 years ago in San Francisco, in the heat of the 1934 General Strike, the nation's first healthcare workers' union was born. Today, 100,000 caregivers like you and me all across California are continuing that legacy by organizing the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW).

I have a special invitation for NUHW activists today. Joined by over 40 respected labor and community leaders like John Burton and Dolores Huerta, the Fund for Union Democracy, an organization committed to supporting workers' struggle for democracy, is hosting an event honoring NUHW and 26 of our elected union leaders and organizers.

There is a special $25 rate for healthcare workers and our families and I strongly wish to extend an invitation for all of you to attend. Will you stand today in support of a powerful and democratic labor movement by signing up to attend a special benefit on November 16th in San Francisco?

As you know, time and again, healthcare workers have stood up for justice and democracy. Today, we are holding the line against sweetheart deals by SEIU officials that threaten our jobs, our patients and our future. Unfortunately, workers who are at the forefront of the movement for worker democracy and our elected leaders and organizers who have stood with us are under attack.

SEIU officials have launched an aggressive campaign to stop us from exercising our free choice to form our own member-led union, NUHW. As part of this campaign, SEIU has hired dozens of lawyers to block union elections and to intimidate twenty-six of our elected union leaders and organizers with a harassing lawsuit.

You can stand up for a powerful and democratic labor movement.  Please join us on Monday, November 16th at the Plumbers & Pipefitters Union Hall, 1621 Market Street (at Franklin Street) in San Francisco on Market Street from 5:30-7:30PM at this special event honoring NUHW and 26 leaders in the fight for union democracy. Please sign up for tickets or, if you can't attend, make a donation at this link today!

Funds raised at this event will support the legal defense of these twenty-six union activists who have dedicated decades to building power for working people and to making progressive change in our communities.   A list of their names can be found at the invitation link below.

Please click here to donate and/or to purchase tickets online.

Here's a flier for you to distribute to your friends, family and co-workers. Click on it to view and print it.

Labor wars at Memorial Hospital

Here's a fine opinion piece from long time advocate for unionization at Memorial, Monsignor John Brenkle. He is the pastor of St. Helena Catholic Church. As you may recall the Monsignor had a few words to say with his clergy peers back on October 23, 2009.

Possible temp relief for Nov 1 cuts to homecare; take action now!

From John Wiklins, IHSS consumer (homecare client) and advocate for the disabled.

On Monday, November 2, in the Assembly, Assemblywoman Noreen Evans (D - Santa Rosa) will offer amendments to SB 69 which will offer temporary relief - for the counties, IHSS consumer and IHSS providers -  from the IHSS program changes which are to go into effect November 1.

 

When those amendments are adopted she will ask for a floor vote. A 2/3 vote will be needed for this urgency bill; if the 2/3 approval happens, the bill will go to the Senate for concurrence. All of this can happen on the same day - tomorrow, November 2.

 

The language of the bill will be available on Monday. The bill has two purposes:

1) Stop the implementation of the November 1 program changes

2) Require the administration to undertake a real stakeholder process concerning the implementation of the changes. The changes would go ahead 90 days after the stakeholder process finishes.

 

We expect these program changes will be named in the bill as the ones which should be delayed:

 

1) The new provider enrollment form

 

2) The new provider orientation requirement

 

3) The criminal background check requirement

 

4)  Unannounced visits to consumers

 

5) Requirement that providers use a physical address rather than a PO Box

 

6) Addition of civil penalties to fraud convictions

Your help is needed right now callfax or email Senator Wiggins and Assemblywoman Evans today!

Senator Pat Wiggins  


Santa Rosa
Phone: (707) 576-2771
Fax: (707) 576-2773
Email: email her now

Sacramento
Phone: (916) 651-4002
Fax: (916) 323-6958


Assemblywoman Noreen Evans


Sacramento
Phone: (916) 319-2007
Fax: (916) 319-2107
Email: email her now

Santa Rosa
Phone: (707) 546-4500
Fax: (707) 546-9031

1) Please call, fax or email your legislator and tell her/him what this bill is about (they will be seeing the new contents of the bill for the first time on Monday) and how important this bill is to you.

2) Please call or fax the Governor and tell him he has the chance to do the right thing and delay these changes by signing SB 69 Phone: 916-445-2841 Fax: 916-445-4633 or email

3) Send a floor alert to all legislators if you or your organization have the capacity to do that.

The tight timeframe was forced upon the Legislature by the inadequate, and last minute nature of implementation instructions.  Assembly Budget and Senate Budget committees heard the issues in specific detail when they met last week, Wednesday, October 28.

Almost half of the counties in California have told the administration that they have not been given the information and tools they need to implement these program changes.

Stakeholders have had little or no opportunity for feedback on these extremely significant and troubling program changes, which were adopted in a rush in the last days of the budget negotiations in July.

PLEASE ACT NOW

Thank you!

It's nearly here: a legitimate election for union representation at Memorial.

From all accounts SEIU will lose this election with most if not all votes going towards NUHW.

D. Ashley Furness of the North Bay Business Journal covers the story including SEIU filing a complaint with the NLRB for conflict of interest by NUHW’s attorney only to have it shot down October 23. Take that SEIU!

I suspect the Zombies will cry foul and block the vote count. I wonder how else SEIU will sabotage this election?

Judge Jon S. Tigar to Zombie UHW: "Quit yer bitchin!"

The Zombies learned the hard way that they can't have it both ways. They can't complain about NUHW's legal representation after firing the same law firm from Zombie UHW. Just like any other job in the world, when you are fired you don't have to listen to your former boss anymore. At issue here is the Zombies' claim of simultaneous representation, as in the Zombies claimed that Jon Siegel, a lawyer for NUHW was simultaneously representing both unions. In reality Siegel represented UHW-W before the trusteeship and like anyone with a soul, he continued his work after the trusteeship, for NUHW. Clearly that was a claimed intended to drain NUHW's legal resources, but it back fired in the following 4 glorious words:

"...plantiff's [UHW-W's] motion is denied" which is legal-ease for "afraid not!" What am I talking about? Read for yourself.

CDCAN: Counties warn of danger re: Nov. 1 cuts

COUNTIES WARN SCHWARZENEGGER ADMINISTRATION OF “CHAOS” IF IT MOVES FORWARD ON NEW IHSS WORKER REQUIREMENTS ON NOVEMBER 1

COUNTIES OFFICIALS SEND LETTERS TO DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES SAYING  INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLETE OR TIMELY – CRITICIZE LACK OF TRANSLATED INFORMATION – WARN OF DANGER TO IHSS RECIPIENTS & POTENTIAL LAWSUITS

SACRAMENTO, CALIF (CDCAN) [Updated 10/27/09  2:20 PM  (Pacific Time)  - Several counties – representing both urban and rural areas of the state – have sent official letters to the Schwarzenegger Administration warning of “chaos” for county workers and dire consequences for hundreds of thousands of people who receive and work in the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program if new requirements passed in late July as part of the 2009-2010 revised State Budget, that included mandatory criminal background checks and fingerprinting of all IHSS workers (providers)  that are scheduled to go into effect November 1^st, are not delayed. 

The counties have responsibility to administer and implement the program locally under rules, guidelines and direction provided by the Department of Social Services.  The Department of Health Care Services also plays a role in the IHSS program because it oversees the state’s Medicaid program (called “Medi-Cal”) and nearly all of the IHSS program is Medicaid funded. 

Counties said that more direction and information, including translated materials is needed from the California Department of Social Services – the state agency within the Schwarzenegger Administration that oversees statewide the IHSS program that serves over 450,000 children and adults with disabilities – including developmental – and people with mental health needs, the blind and low income seniors, enabling them to live in their own homes with the help of hundreds of thousands of support workers, before implementation of the new requirements can move forward.  Some of the counties warned of the possibility of unsafe conditions for thousands of IHSS recipients and potential lawsuits from both IHSS recipients and workers (providers) if implementation was not delayed. 

Bernadette Lynch, chief of Senior and Adults Services in the Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services, in her letter to the Department of Social Services, wrote that Sacramento County was “…struggling to meet the November 1, 2009 start date as outlined by the state. In large part, this is due to delays in receiving necessary materials. [from the State] , saying that “…we have no translated materials with which to train the very diverse group of providers in Sacramento County…We do not have a list other than a draft of the criminal convictions that would bar an individual from seeking employment as a care provider….Other difficulties in implementation are caused by a lack of clarity in the requirements themselves.”  

She warned that the implementation problems “ …could result in recipients being left in unsafe situations or that a lack of providers may cause increased levels of institutional care.”

While recent federal court rulings in late June, and earlier this month  stopped two of the major budget reductions to the IHSS program that would have narrowed eligibility and reduced domestic and related services using a little known assessment scoring and ranking tool, and a reduction in state funding toward IHSS worker wages, other reductions – including the new requirements for background checks and fingerprinting of IHSS workers, elimination of the “share of cost buy-out” program – have either gone into effect or will go into effect November 1^st.

Those new requirements were originally proposed by Governor Schwarzenegger – and subsequently approved by the Legislature controlled by Democrats in late July, as part of the package of spending cuts and other measures to close what was then a over $23 billion deficit.  The Governor signed the budget bills in late July which also included major permanent cuts to a wide range of health and human services including those impacting Early Start, regional centers, senior programs, Medi-Cal optional benefits and other services, mental health, community colleges and other areas of the state budget. 

The new requirements for IHSS workers and also new requirements for IHSS recipients are contained in ABx4 19 (“x4” stands for 4^th special or extraordinary session) that contained provisions to combat fraud and abuse that Legislative Republicans and the Governor demanded be included as part of the budget agreement.  Some of those requirements were similar to legislation authored by State Sen. Abel Maldonado (Republican – Santa Maria).

Concerns Raised Focus of Budget Informational Hearing Wednesday

Those major concerns and problems being reported across the state on the implementation of budget reductions and policy changes to the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program is the focus of a joint hearing of the Assembly Budget Committee and the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services, is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, 2009, at 1:00 PM at the State Capitol in Room 4202 [see CDCAN website at www.cdcan.us for agenda and previous CDCAN Report for details]

The IHSS budget reductions and program changes – along with major cuts to other health and human service programs including regional centers, Medi-Cal and other areas of the state budget - were made this year as part of the effort by the Legislature and Governor to close a budget gap of over $40  billion in February – and over $23 billion in July. 

County Officials Raise Major Concerns – Warn of “Chaos” and Legal Problems

Mary Goblirsch, branch director of Aging and Adult Services of the Monterey County Department of Social and Employment Services, after listing specific problems and concerns, wrote to the Department of Social Services that “…the manner in which implementation directions have been issued within the past month has created total chaos for IHSS recipients, providers , and county IHSS staff” and urged that the implementation date for the Provider Enrollment Requirements be delayed and that the Department of Social Services provide more clarification and specifics on outstanding issues.

Citing a criticism raised by several other counties of the confusion that they claim is caused by the lack of information from the State, Patrick Duterte, director of the Solano County Health and Social Services Department, writing to the California Department of Social Services said the department  “…has placed the County in an untenable position by requiring changes be made and providing incomplete and inadequate directions for implementation.  It is impossible for the County to provide responsible and thorough customer service to a critically important segment of our population under these circumstances.”

Echoing a concern raised by several other counties, Gary Andrews, deputy director of the Imperial County Department of Social Services, wrote of “serious concerns” that the county has with the November 1, 2009 implementation date of the IHSS worker (provider) requirements.  He cited that the state has not provided forms in languages other than English when “…our population (clients and providers) is approximately 75% Spanish speaking.  If we implement the use of these new forms on November 1, 2009, prior to having them translated into Spanish, 75% of our population will be signing statements under penalty of perjury that they may not completely understand.  This may be in violation of their civil rights and may undermine any prosecution effort in the future if fraud is committed.”

Linda Haugan, assistant county administrator for the Human Services Division of the County of San Bernardino,  concluded her letter to the Department of Social Services saying that the department “…has placed the County in an untenable position by requiring changes be made and providing incomplete and inadequate directions for implementation...the County is in urgent need of clarifications and answers regarding the unresolved issues”  and urged extension of the implementation date “…in view of the potential harm to IHSS customers”. 

Donna Clipperton, supervisor of the IHSS Public Authority of San Luis Obispo County, wrote to the Department of Social Services  that her county “…will not be able to implement the new provider enrollment mandates by the deadline,” because the county has not “…received all of the necessary directives that we need in order to proceed…have not been provided with all the materials needed for the mandated provider orientation, i.e., copies in Spanish,” and noted that “serious legal questions” regarding the new state requirements “have not been addressed”, saying there are conflicting statements on the new provider enrollment form that an individual with a record of “any” felony or a “serious” misdemeanor cannot be an IHSS worker.

Whew! Had enough yet? Stay tuned folks, this is only going to get lamer!

CDCAN: Joint Informational Hearing by Legislature October 28

Again message wasn't emailed to me until 12:07 today and I didn't read it until 3:30-ish. So, this is almost too late to act on but here it is. Comments that are underlined were underlined by me.

Implementation of IHSS Budget Reductions and Policy Changes Focus of Joint Informational Hearing By Legislature October 28^th

Joint Hearing by Assembly Budget Committee and Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services Will Hear From 4 Panels on Reported Widespread Problems and Concerns – No Public Testimony But Comment Cards and Letters Will Be Taken

SACRAMENTO, CALIF (CDCAN) [Updated 10/27/09  11:20 AM  (Pacific Time)  - With major concerns and problems being reported across the state on the implementation of budget reductions and policy changes to the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program impacting over 450,000 children and adults with disabilities, mental health needs, the blind and low income seniors, a joint hearing of the Assembly Budget Committee and the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services, is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, 2009, at 1:00 PM at the State Capitol in Room 4202.   

The unusual joint hearing of the Assembly Budget Committee – chaired by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (Democrat – Santa Rosa) and the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services – chaired by State Sen. Mark Leno (Democrat – San Francisco), should be televised by Cal Channel or viewed on the Cal Channel website at www.calchannel.com [CDCAN will issue a full report immediately following the hearing]

The IHSS cuts and policy changes also impact hundreds of thousands of IHSS workers and the families of the IHSS recipients, counties, community based organizations and regional centers. 

The IHSS budget reductions and program changes – along with major cuts to other health and human service programs including regional centers, Medi-Cal and other areas of the state budget - were made this year as part of the effort by the Legislature and Governor to close a budget gap of over $40  billion in February – and over $23 billion in July. 

Hearing Comes After Federal Court Rulings Stopping Some Cuts

The joint committee hearing comes after recent federal court rulings in late June, and earlier this month that stopped two of the major budget reductions to the IHSS program that would have narrowed eligibility and reduced domestic and related services using a little known assessment scoring and ranking tool, and a reduction in state funding toward IHSS worker wages.  While the State is appealing both rulings to the US^th Circuit Court of Appeals, the federal court required the Schwarzenegger Administration to comply and stop those cuts immediately.

Other Lawsuits Filed or Being Considered On IHSS Cuts

A state lawsuit filed in State Superior Court to stop the elimination of the IHSS “share of cost buy-out” program that was eliminated October 1 as part of the revised 2009-2010 State Budget passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor in late July, is pending – though prospects for the state court to intervene at this stage does not appear good at this point.

Other lawsuits are being considered or are moving forward, though not yet filed, impacting the IHSS worker background checks, unannounced home visits by state agencies to homes of IHSS recipients and possibly fingerprinting requirements of both IHSS workers and recipients.    

Concerns Raised About November 1^st Implementation of Other IHSS Cuts

Other reductions – including new requirements for background checks and fingerprinting of IHSS workers, elimination of the “share of cost buy-out” program – have either gone into effect or will go into effect November 1^st.

Several counties have sent official letters to the Schwarzenegger Administration indicating major concerns and problems in trying to meet the November 1, 2009 deadline to implement new budget related requirements for IHSS workers (sometimes known as “providers”) and for persons receiving IHSS.  Some counties indicated that they would be unable to implement any of the new requirements until the Department of Social Services – the state agency within the Schwarzenegger Administration that oversees the IHSS program – sends out additional details that the counties say are critical in carrying out the new worker and recipient requirements. 

Other issues raised by advocacy groups and the counties included concerns regarding the various notices from the Department of Social Services containing instructions and guidelines to implement the various reductions and policy changes (contained in documents called “All County Letters” and “All County Information Notices”). 

A CDCAN Townhall Telemeeting held October 21 with representatives of various statewide and local advocacy groups and individuals attracted hundreds of people across the State that brought up reports of widespread confusion, panic and concerns regarding the IHSS budget reductions and program changes. [a complete audio recording of that townhall telemeeting is available for free on the CDCAN website at www.cdcan.us ]

Hearing Will Focus on Implementation Issues

Those issues – along with others related to the IHSS program will be heard in the October 28^th informational hearing by the Assembly Budget Committee.  No formal action or vote will be taken at that hearing. 

No public testimony – other than those coming from people from the various panels scheduled to provide information to the committee – will be taken.  However the committee will take comments from the general public via comment cards that will be available at the hearing, or through letters to the committee office. 

Assembly Budget Committee

Attention: Assemblymember Noreen Evans, Chair

State Capitol

Sacramento, CA 95814

Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services

Attention: Sen. Mark Leno, Chair

State Capitol

Sacramento, CA 95814

The joint committee agenda for the hearing October 28^th is (for official copy of the agenda below and for background paper for this hearing, and copies of the county letters to the State, and background documents of this hearing, go to the CDCAN website at www.cdcan.us)

ASSEMBLY BUDGET COMMITTEE AND THE SENATE BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE NO. 3 ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Oversight Hearing on Implementation of Recent Changes in the In-Home Supportive Services Program

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 – State Capitol Room 4202

AGENDA

I. Overview of Recent Program Changes in the In-Home Supportive Services Program IHSS

Ginni Bella, Legislative Analyst's Office

II. State Implementation Process and Outcomes

·         John Wagner, Director, California Department of Social Services (DSS)

·         Eva Lopez, Deputy Director, Adult Programs Division, DSS

III. County Concerns and Feedback on Capacity to Implement Changes

·         Frank Mecca, Executive Director, County Welfare Directors Association of California

·         Diane Kaljian, Adult and Aging Services Director, Sonoma County Human Services Department

IV. Reaction Panel and Impact of Implementation on Consumers

·         Deborah Doctor, Legislative Advocate, Disability Rights California [formerly Protection and Advocacy Inc or PAI]

·         Jovan Agee, Political & Legislative Director, United Domestic Workers of America / AFSCME

·         Laphonza Butler, Co-Trustee, Service Employees International Union – United Long Term Care Workers

·         Donna Calame, Executive Director, San Francisco IHSS Public Authority

Comment cards will be available and received at the hearing from members of the public who would like to submit written testimony.

Memorial Hospital union election update

Here are a few important updates about the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital organizing. I also added a timeline below explaining how the election has been delayed for the past 194 days.

RELIGIOUS LEADERS CALL ON SEIU-UHW TO AGREE TO FAIR ELECTION, STOP DELAYING
In a September 25 letter, SEIU-UHW stated their refusal to participate in fair election discussions with NUHW and St. Joseph Health System, even though workers and community members have fought for a fair election for years. Now, local and national religious leaders are calling on SEIU to come to the table: “We urge SEIU-UHW to enter into discussions with NUHW and SJHS to set ground rules for the union election at Memorial in a timely manner. Any further delay will only undermine the collective efforts of health care workers and the faith community who supports them.” Local religious leaders signing the letter include Msgr. John Brenkle, Father Angelito Peries, JoAnn Consiglieri, Rev. Chris Bell, Rev. Blythe Sawyer, Stephen Harper, Joe Silva, Deacon John Norris, and Father Ray Decker.

STATE COURT REJECTS LATEST DELAY TACTIC
In recent weeks, SEIU-UHW has refused to discuss a date for the union election under the pretext of a conflict of interest with NUHW’s attorney. On October 23, the Honorable Jon S. Tigar rejected SEIU-UHW’s argument. The only question remaining is whether SEIU-UHW will look for other means to delay the election. There is currently an NLRB hearing on the Memorial election scheduled for November 2, but there is no reason to wait for a hearing if SEIU-UHW agrees to the terms for election already agreed to by NUHW and SJHS.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR AN INFORMATIONAL EVENT ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6
In addition to updates about the Santa Rosa Memorial campaign, this event will touch on broader issues affecting the future of the labor movement in Sonoma County and beyond. The event will be chaired by Norman Solomon and speakers will include Sal Rosselli of NUHW, local union activist Marie White, and Mito Gonzales of Santa Rosa Memorial. The event is Friday, November 6, 7pm-9pm, and the Plumbers and Pipefitters Hall, 3473 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa. For more info call (707) 962-9213.

TIMELINE: UNION ELECTION HELD HOSTAGE FOR 194 DAYS SINCE WORKERS FILED FOR THEIR ELECTION

January 27, 2009
SEIU places SEIU-UHW in trusteeship and pulls the plug on the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital campaign.

February to March, 2009
After SEIU-UHW shuts down their campaign website and office and fails to return calls, SRMH workers re-group and resume organizing with National Union of Healthcare Workers.

April 13, 2009
SRMH workers file their petition – signed by a majority – for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board. Typically, an election would be scheduled within 6 weeks of filing.

April to August, 2009
SEIU-UHW uses a legal maneuver to get the NLRB to block the election at SRMH.

September 1, 2009
The NLRB sets aside SEIU-UHW’s blocking charge and allows the union election at SRMH to proceed. SRMH management agrees to meet to discuss fair election ground rules.

September 16, 2009
After an absence of more than 7 months, SEIU-UHW files to intervene in the election. SRMH management postpones fair election discussions pending participation from SEIU-UHW.

September 23, 2009
SEIU-UHW refuses to proceed with a scheduled NLRB hearing citing an alleged conflict of interest with NUHW’s attorney. The NLRB postpones the hearing until October 19 (later delayed even further until November 2) thus delaying the election for at least several more weeks.

September 28, 2009
In a letter from Eliseo Medina, SEIU-UHW formally rejects any participation in fair election discussions, thus scuttling the process.

September 29, 2009
The North Bay Labor Council writes to the SEIU-UHW trustees asking them to respect the workers’ choice of NUHW and stop interfering in the SRMH union election.

October 7, 2009
A delegation of workers delivers a letter signed by 75 co-workers to SEIU officials in Santa Rosa telling them that they have no support and that they should stop the delays and pull out of the election.

October 10, 2009
Having failed in all their attempts to get support from workers, SEIU-UHW starts mailing a series of anti-NUHW leaflets to workers, running exactly the kind of anti-union campaign that workers have spent years trying to prevent management from running.

Zombie UHW pesters Memorial workers with another weak mailer

In what is sure to be one of many mailers from Zombie UHW aimed at re-winning the hearts and minds of Memorial workers, the Zombies mailed this bit of garbage. As you can see it uses the same tired and misleading arguments we've all heard since January 2009. Let's dissect this stinker, hold it up to the light and see it for what it really is: a message that came from the wrong union and came too late to make a difference for SEIU.

Who is NUHW?

The people who run NUHW were removed from office for misusing the members' dues money.

No, they were removed for not allowing the forced transfer of 65,000 homecare members from UHW to ULTCW. At the time UHW was a model local union and ULTCW was (and still is) reeling from their own corruption But the dues money used so far to negotiate sellout contracts (here, here and here) since the trusteeship began couldn't possibly be called misuse -- oh, no, no, no. Don't get me started on the fight for Fresno homecare workers, and the $10 million the Zombies spent there (at ~$3600+ per vote) to barely "win" an election, where SEIU claimed to have 5,000 -- an absolute majority of votes. Ugh, it makes me sick!

In January, NUHW leaders (then officers of SEIU-UHW) were found guilty by former U.S. Secretary of Labor Ray Marshall of misuing members' dues money and were removed from office. The very next day, they formed NUHW.

To me, this bit of crafty wording seems to imply that Secretary Marshall removed them from office, which is outside his authority reach or interest. Also, page 96 of Marshall's report states: " [...] I do not recommend imposing a trusteeship on these grounds at this time because these actions were merely symptoms of the basic underlying cause of the conflict between UHW and the International Union–the jurisdictional conflict over long-term care workers."

Once the leaders of the pre-trusteeship leaders of UHW realized that Rosselli's proclamation stating democracy "democracy dies in the darkness" had come true and UHW by extension and SEIU was a sinking ship, they headed for higher grounds.

What Did the NUHW Leaders Do Wrong? 

Since their removal from office, union members have found out that NUHW leaders:

• Transferred $3 million in members' dues money to a bogus non-profit for their own use.

 This should in no way be confused with the blatant misuse of dues money perpetrated by Tyrone Freeman one of SEIU International President Andy Stern's appointed (NOT elected) local leaders. Also, setting up a mechanism for defending itself from the tyranny of SEIU International can only considered wrong

• Stole thousands of dollars of union property and destroyed files needed to protect workers against management.

This is an unsubstantiated allegation. Assuming it happened you'd think it would have been extensively publicized.

• Left thousands of workers without union protection in the middle of the worst economic crisis of our lifetime by refusing to bargain more than 100 contracts and canceling extensions of dozens more.

Not like, say, the 50,000+ Kaiser Permanente members who had their futures and livelihoods sold down the river by Zombie UHW (as shown here, here and here) or the  4700+ Sonoma county homecare workers who had their fate sealed for the next 2 years.

What does the future hold for NUHW?

NUHW leaders will soon be going on trial in Federal Court.

Going to court does not mean a guaranteed guilty verdict.

In July, U.S district Judge William issued a preliminary injunction against NUHW leaders finding that they participated in a "broad-based scheme to take and destroy UHW property and information" contrary to the interests of the union members they once represented.

Who is saying the quoted phrase? It doesn't matter: one way it's an unsubstantiated allegation the other way it's a just nonsensical fear mongering.

Granted, in order to prevent the wholesale loss of faith and interest of its members worldwide SEIU has to
fight NUHW's advances but they could at least change their message to maintain appeal and relevance, unless of course they have nothing left to say.

When dealing with SEIU it's good to know we're not alone

Not a whole lot of explanation needed here folks, just watch and learn about how not only Sonoma county homecare workers but also the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors are horrified about SEIU's recent rigged  contract ratification. Normally, labor and management and laborers are opposed but here is a rare example of labor AND management telling the union it's actions and treatment of it's members is reprehensible.