Home Care Workers Protest Cuts

by Jonathan Nack

OAKLAND - Protesters decried budget cuts to home care workers in front of the State Building in Oakland, on Friday, March 27, 2009. SEIU, which organized the protest, claimed that the California budget passed in February contains $1 billion in "trigger cuts" to home care, health care, higher education, SSI/SSP, and CalWORKS.

The Oakland protest was part of a day of action organized by SEIU that included a rally at the Capitol Building in Sacramento and in five other cities.

"When legislators buried these 'trigger cuts' deep in the February budget agreement, they were counting on not having to take responsibility for their decision to make such unpopular cuts. We're coming to our leaders' front doors to demand they accept responsibility for their decisions that will harm the elderly, the sick, people with disabilities, struggling families, and students," said Paula Cantera, a home care provider in Napa County.

The home care workers weren't alone. "If our leaders can find a way to enrich corporations with billions in shameless giveaways, they can find a way to protect our seniors an people with disabilities, " said Gary Passmore, Executive Director of the Congress of California Seniors.

"For those of us who rely on home care, this budget is about survival. It's about whether we can get through the day safely," said Michelle Rousey, Chair of the Public Authority Advisory Board for In-Home Support Services. Rousey joined the Oakland protest with a contingent from Action for In-Home Support Services, an advocacy group for both clients and workers.