Month: January 2022

“I’m a long-term care worker in College Place and have cared for multiple clients over the last 18 years. I agree the WA Cares program should be improved by making it possible for folks who live out-of-state to exempt themselves and by allowing people who are near retirement to qualify for partial benefits.

About 70% of us will require long-term care at some point in our lives, including help with eating, bathing, dressing and managing medications. Medicare and private health insurance don’t cover these health needs, and most people can’t afford private long-term care insurance. WA Cares helps pay for that care, ensuring everyone has the option to stay in their home.

When people need long-term care, the last thing they need to worry about is how they will afford it. I oppose repeal of the WA Cares program which will mean tens of thousands of people won’t get the care they need.”

You can read the letter from SEIU 775 member Carolyn Banks in the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin here.

April 11, 2022 Update: All bargaining unit employees shall receive $2.41 per hour in addition to their base wage plus any applicable differentials for every hour worked between April 1. 2022 – June 30, 2022.

You can read the latest MOU here.

January 26, 2022 Update: First Choice APs will get a $2.41 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked between January 1 and March 31, 2022.

You can read the latest MOU here.

August 10, 2021 Update: First Choice APs will get a $2.54 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked between July 1 and December 31, 2021. 

You can read the latest MOU here.   

April 5, 2021 Update: First Choice APs will get a $2.54 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked in April, May, and June 2021.  

You can read the latest MOU here.   

January 25, 2021 Update: First Choice APs will get a $2.54 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked in January, February, and March 2021.  

You can read the latest MOU here.  

First Choice APs are also in the 1A priority group for getting the COVID-19 vaccine because of our advocacy as a Union. Learn how to get the vaccine here. 

August 13, 2020 Update: We have exciting news for First Choice caregivers. Our bargaining team has been working to reach an agreement with First Choice about extending Hazard Pay – and thanks to workers raising their voices, we have made it happen!

Hazard pay: First Choice APs will now get a $2.75 increase to your base wages for all hours worked in July, August, and September. You’ll see your hazard pay for hours you already worked in your September 1 paycheck.

PPE: You will continue to be provided with all the necessary PPE for caring for all your clients.

You can read the latest MOU here. 

Through impact bargaining, First Choice caregivers have won:  

  • Hazard Pay: First Choice APs will receive an additional $3.50 an hour for every hour worked in May and June. We are all on the front lines, so all First Choice APs will receive this pay regardless if you are caring for a client with COVID-19.  
  • More PPE: First Choice has committed to spending $166,000 to provide PPE and supplies intended to protect workers, including one-time use N-95 masks,  gowns, and gloves for caring for test-positive clients. 
  • Healthcare and Training: First Choice is increasing their hourly contribution rate to the Training Partnership and Health Benefits Trust for all hours worked in May and June, so no one loses healthcare coverage. 

See the full MOU here.

Despite the State facing a growing budget deficit as a result of the pandemic, Governor Inslee agreed to increase funding for home care agencies like First Choice in order to provide this immediate support to caregivers. This was all made possible because of caregivers like you sending letters, signing petitions, sharing your stories, and so much more to demand the Legislature prioritize caregivers to receive Federal stimulus money.  

Standing together got us to this point, we need to keep this up to make sure that caregivers are treated as the essential professionals they are. 

April 18, 2022 Update: All bargaining unit employees shall receive $2.58 in addition to their base wage plus any applicable differentials for every hour worked between April 1, 2022-June 30, 2022.

You can read the latest MOU here.

January 26, 2022 Update: Full Life Care APs will get a $2.58 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked between January 1 and March 31, 2022.

You can read the latest MOU here.

August 1, 2021 Update: Full Life Care APs will get a $2.61 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked between July 1 and December 31, 2021.

You can read the latest MOU here.

April 23, 2021 Update: Full Life Care APs will get a $2.85 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked in April, May, and June 2021. We’ll also continue to receive an additional $25 of targeted Hazard Pay per shift if taking care of a COVID-19 test-positive client. 

You can read the latest MOU here.

January 15, 2021 Update: Full Life Care APs will continue to get a $2.85 increase to our base wages for all hours worked in January, February, and March. 

You can read the latest MOU here.   

Full Life Care APs are also in the 1A priority group for getting the COVID-19 vaccine because of our advocacy as a Union. Learn how to get the vaccine here. 

September 5, 2020 update: We have exciting news for Full Life Care home care workers. Our bargaining team has been working to reach an agreement with Full Life Care about extending Hazard Pay – and thanks to workers raising their voices, we have made it happen!

Hazard pay: Full Life Care APs will now get a $2.85 increase to your base wages for all hours worked in July, August, and September. You’ll receive your hazard pay for hours you already worked in your September 20 paycheck.

PPE: You will continue to be provided with all the necessary PPE for caring for all your clients. You can ask your supervisor for PPE – contact us if you haven’t received PPE upon request.

You can read the latest MOU here.

Through impact bargaining, Full Life Care home care employees have won:   

  1. Hazard Pay: Full Life Care home care workers will receive an additional $3.50 an hour for every hour worked in May and June. We are all on the front lines, so all Full Life Care home care workers will receive this pay, regardless if you are caring for a client with COVID-19.  
  2. More PPE: Full Life Care has committed to spending additional funds to provide PPE and supplies intended to protect workers, including one-time-use N-95 masks, gowns, and gloves for caring for test-positive clients.  
  3. Training: Full Life Care is increasing their hourly contribution rate to the Training Partnership for all hours worked in May and June.  

See the full MOU here.

This was possible because caregivers like you demanded Governor Inslee increase funding for home care agencies like Full Life Care by prioritizing caregivers to receive Federal stimulus funding – and it worked!  However, earlier this week DSHS announced budget cuts they plan to make to balance the state budget. These cuts will decimate long-term care in Washington. Cutting these vital resources isn’t what our state needs – we need revenue. That’s why we now need to demand Congress pass the HEROES Act – a new bill that provide federal relief and funding for long-term care.  

Standing together got us to this point – we need to keep this up to make sure that caregivers are treated as the essential professionals they are.

April 13, 2022 Update: All bargaining unit employees shall receive $2.39 per hour in addition to their base wage plus any applicable differentials for every hour worked between April 1, 2022 through June 30,2022.

You can read the latest MOU here.

January 25, 2022 Update: CCS APs will get a $2.39 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked from January 1 to March 31, 2022.

You can read the latest MOU here.

August 1, 2021 Update: CCS APs will get a $2.45 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked from July 1 to December 31, 2021.

You can read the latest MOU here.

April 23, 2021 Update: CCS APs will get a $3.00 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked in April, May, and June 2021.  

You can read the latest MOU here.   

Additionally, CCS has agreed to pay any caregiver who shows proof of your COVID-19 vaccination $100. To receive the payment, you must provide a valid copy of your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card issued by a Healthcare Professional or Clinic Site once you’ve completed the vaccination series (two shots for Pfizer or Moderna and one shot for Johnson & Johnson).

You can read the COVID Vaccination Time Loss Program MOU here.

January 15, 2021 Update: CCS APs will continue to get a $3 increase to our base wages for all hours worked in January, February, and March. We’ll also continue to receive an additional $25 of targeted Hazard Pay per shift if taking care of a COVID-19 test-positive client. 

You can read the latest MOU here.   

CCS APs are also in the 1A priority group for getting the COVID-19 vaccine because of our advocacy as a Union. Learn how to get the vaccine here. 

August 13, 2020 Update: We have exciting news for CCS caregivers. Our bargaining team has been working to reach an agreement with CCS about extending Hazard Pay – and thanks to workers raising their voices, we have made it happen!

Hazard pay: CCS APs will now get a $3 increase to your base wages for all hours worked in July, August, and September. You’ll see your hazard pay for hours you already worked in your August 25 paycheck. You’ll also receive an additional $25 of targeted hazard pay per shift if taking care of a COVID-19 test-positive client.

PPE: You will continue to be provided with all the necessary PPE for caring for all your clients.

You can read the latest MOU here. 

Through impact bargaining, CCS caregivers have won:  

  • Hazard Pay: CCS APs will receive an additional $3.50 an hour for every hour worked in May and June. We are all on the front lines, so all CCS APs will receive this pay regardless if you are caring for a client with COVID-19. And, you’ll get an additional $25 targeted-hazard pay per shift for taking care of COVID-19 test-positive clients. 
  • More PPE: CSS has committed to spending $255,000 to provide PPEs and supplies intended to protect workers, including one-time use N-95 masks, face shields and goggles, gowns, and gloves for caring for test-positive clients. 
  • Healthcare and Training: CCS is increasing their hourly contribution rate to the Training Partnership and Health Benefits Trust for all hours worked in May and June so no one loses healthcare coverage. 

See the full MOU here.

Despite the State facing a growing budget deficit as a result of the pandemic, Governor Inslee agreed to increase funding for home care agencies like CCS in order to provide this immediate support to caregivers. This was all made possible because of caregivers like you sending letters, signing petitions, sharing your stories, and so much more to demand the Legislature prioritize caregivers to receive Federal stimulus money.  

Standing together got us to this point, we need to keep this up to make sure that caregivers are treated as the essential professionals they are. 

January 12, 2022 Update: Amicable APs will get a $2.71 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked between January – March, 2022.

You can read the latest MOU here.

July 27, 2021 Update: Amicable APs will get a $2.71 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked between July-December 2021.  

You can read the latest MOU here.   

April 7, 2021 Update: Amicable APs will get a $2.71 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked in April, May, and June 2021.  

You can read the latest MOU here.   

January 15, 2021 Update: Amicable APs will continue to get a $2.71 increase to our base wages for all hours worked in January, February, and March 2021. We’ll also continue to receive an additional $2 of targeted Hazard Pay per hour if taking care of a COVID-19 test-positive client.

You can read the latest MOU here.

Amicable APs are also in the 1A priority group for getting the COVID-19 vaccine because of our advocacy as a Union. Learn how to get the vaccine here.

August 21, 2020 Update: We have exciting news for Amicable caregivers. Our bargaining team has been working to reach an agreement with Amicable about extending Hazard Pay – and thanks to workers raising their voices, we have made it happen!

Hazard pay: Amicable APs will now get a $2.71 increase to your base wages for all hours worked in July, August, and September. You’ll also receive an additional $2 an hour of targeted hazard pay if taking care of a COVID-19 test-positive client.  You’ll see your hazard pay for hours you already worked in your August 20 paycheck.

PPE: You will continue to be provided with all the necessary PPE for caring for all your clients.

You can read the latest MOU here. 

Through impact bargaining, Amicable caregivers have won:  

  1. Hazard Pay: Amicable APs will receive an additional $3 an hour for every hour worked in May and June. We are all on the front lines, so all Amicable APs will receive this pay, regardless if you are caring for a client with COVID-19. And you’ll get an additional $25 targeted-hazard pay per shift for taking care of COVID-19 test-positive clients. 
  2. More PPE: Amicable has committed to spending additional funds to provide PPE and supplies intended to protect workers, including one-time–use N-95 masks, gowns, and gloves for caring for test-positive clients. 
  3. Healthcare and Training: Amicable is increasing their hourly contribution rate to the Training Partnership and Health Benefits Trust for all hours worked in May and June, so no one loses healthcare coverage. 

Read the full MOU here.

Despite the State facing a growing budget deficit as a result of the pandemic, Governor Inslee agreed to increase funding for home care agencies like Amicable in order to provide this immediate support to caregivers. This was all made possible because of caregivers like you sending letters, signing petitions, sharing your stories, and so much more to demand the Legislature prioritize caregivers to receive Federal stimulus money.  

Standing together got us to this point – we need to keep this up to make sure that caregivers are treated as the essential professionals they are. 

January 10, 2022 Update: Chesterfield APs will get a $2.67 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked between January 1 and March 31, 2022. We’ll also continue to receive an additional $2 of targeted Hazard Pay per hour if taking care of a COVID-19 test-positive client.

You can read the latest MOU here.

July 9, 2021 Update: Chesterfield APs will get a $2.73 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked between July 1 and December 31, 2021.  We’ll also continue to receive an additional $2 of targeted Hazard Pay per hour if taking care of a COVID-19 test-positive client.  

You can read the latest MOU here.   

April 7, 2021 Update: Chesterfield APs will get a $2.73 per hour increase to our base wages for all hours worked in April, May, and June 2021.  

You can read the latest MOU here.   

January 15, 2021 Update: Chesterfield APs will continue to get a $2.73 increase to our base wages for all hours worked in January, February, and March 2021. We’ll also continue to receive an additional $2 of targeted Hazard Pay per hour if taking care of a COVID-19 test-positive client.  

 You can read the latest MOU here.   

 Chesterfield APs are also in the 1A priority group for getting the COVID-19 vaccine because of our advocacy as a Union. Learn how to get the vaccine here.  

August 24, 2020 update: We have exciting news for Chesterfield caregivers. Our bargaining team has been working to reach an agreement with Chesterfield about extending Hazard Pay – and thanks to workers raising their voices, we have made it happen!

Hazard pay: Chesterfield APs will now get a $2.73 increase to your base wages for all hours worked in July, August, and September. You’ll also receive an additional $25 per shift of targeted hazard pay if taking care of a COVID-19 test-positive client.  You’ll see your hazard pay for hours you already worked in your September 1 paycheck.

PPE: You will continue to be provided with all the necessary PPE for caring for all your clients.

You can read the latest MOU here.

Through impact bargaining Chesterfield caregivers have won:

  • Hazard Pay: Chesterfield APs will receive an additional $3 an hour for every hour worked in May and June. We are all on the front lines, so all Chesterfield APs will receive this pay regardless if you are caring for a client with COVID-19. And, you’ll get an additional $25 targeted-hazard pay per shift for taking care of COVID-19 test-positive clients.
  • More PPE: Chesterfield has committed to spending additional funds to provide PPE and supplies intended to protect workers, including one-time use N-95 masks, gowns, and gloves for caring for test-positive clients.
  • Healthcare and Training: Chesterfield is increasing their hourly contribution rate to the Training Partnership and Health Benefits Trust for all hours worked in May and June, so no one loses healthcare coverage.

See the full MOU here.

Despite the State facing a growing budget deficit as a result of the pandemic, Governor Inslee agreed to increase funding for home care agencies like Chesterfield in order to provide this immediate support to caregivers. This was all made possible because of caregivers like you sending letters, signing petitions, sharing your stories, and so much more to demand the Legislature prioritize caregivers to receive Federal stimulus money.

Standing together got us to this point, we need to keep this up to make sure that caregivers are treated as the essential professionals they are.

The 3-Minute Lobbyist

Intro to the Washington State Legislature

Maximizing Impact

Dear SEIU 775 Caregivers,

We have so much right in front of us as we launch our Time for $20 campaign! But to succeed we can’t just look at what is right in front of us, we also have to build a vision for the future. So I’m putting together a committee of members to build a new ten-year vision, and we’ll need all of your help and input in that process.

This won’t be the first time we’ve brought members together to set long-term goals. In 2005, following our “Think Big, Act Big, Win Big” campaign, thousands of home care agency workers in Washington and Montana joined our Union and we established the best training standards in the country. In 2012, our Vision 2022 Committee set new goals for our Union, including lifting caregivers out of poverty and transforming health and long-term care. Since setting those goals, we’ve raised wages for home care workers from $10/hour to an average of almost $18/hr (not counting hazard pay) and helped tens of thousands of workers in Washington and Montana access health care through Medicaid expansion.

But we know that as we have won new victories, caregivers and all working people continue to face big challenges including rising income inequality, institutional racism, and the ongoing pandemic. We will rise to meet these challenges but that starts with a thoughtful and strategic plan and vision.

We officially kicked off our Vision planning during our Leadership Summits in September. And last month, we convened a committee of member leaders and began our regular meetings. Looking forward, we will be:

  • Holding a work session during the legislative session with leaders from across our Union
  • Sending out surveys to members about their priorities
  • Gathering feedback from members during membership meetings
  • Voting on the recommendations at Convention in the Fall of 2022

We’re excited to get started and to share updates as we make progress toward building our 10-year plan.

When we link arms and get to work, there’s nothing we can’t do together.

Sterling Harders, SEIU 775 President

SEIU 775’s Leadership

Sterling Harders, President
Adam Glickman, Secretary-Treasurer
Andrew Beane, Vice President
Shaine Truscott, Vice President
Tangie Webb, Vice President

Executive Board
Tanika Aden
Berta Alvarado
Shazia Anwar
Victoria “Vicki” Bickford


Manuel Brito
Agustina Cardenas
Jessica Field
Pamela Hansen
Sherylon “Shelly” Hughes
Darryl Johnson
Vera Kandrashuk
Jackie Keen
Sylvia Liang
Linda Long
Wei “Kandie” Luo
Daravadee “Dara” Mann
Debbra Maul
Brenda Morgan
Rhonda Parker


Rhonda Paul
Dora Poqui
Manuela “Nelly” Prieto
Danielle “Dani” Rice
Anna Rudova
Winnifred “Winie” Schafer
Margaret Singh
Edward “Ed” Solseng
Monique Taylor-Swan
Celeste Thompson
Eden Thompson
Earlene Webster
Brittany Williams
Susan “Susie” Young

2021 SEIU 775 Officer and Executive Board

Our caregivers’ Union has grown so much since we were founded. We’re now over 45,000 caregivers strong and we want our leadership – our officers and Executive Board – to grow as we grow. That’s why SEIU 775 members approved an amendment to expand our leadership by one Vice President and one Executive Board seat this year.
I’m excited to be one of three new Executive Board Members joining our returning Board Members along with Vicki Bickford from Vancouver and Brenda Morgan from Pasco. And I also want to welcome Jackie Keen from Spokane who was appointed by President Sterling Harders to the newly-created Board seat.

I am honored to join an amazing team that cares deeply for caregivers. Being a caregiver for 16 years, I have seen so many changes – wage increases, better benefits, health and safety protections, and so much more – and understand the power of our voice when we unite. The decisions we make as the Executive Board not only affect our caregivers but also the people we care for. Caregivers also voted Tangie Webb as Vice President, and President Harders appointed Shaine Truscott as Vice President to fill the new position.

On behalf of our Executive Board and officers, we look forward to continuing to move our Union forward in our fight for $20 an hour and so much more.
– Dora Poqui, IP, Tacoma, WA

SEIU 775 hits the road with our first Leadership Summits

In September, our Union took our Leadership Conference on the road and held five outdoor Summits in Everett, Chehalis, Tacoma, Spokane, and Yakima. I was joined by tens of caregivers who attended the Everett Leadership Summit where we got everything started with lots of energy, socially-distanced conversation, celebration, inspiring speakers, and so much more. It was a thrill to be in the same space with other Union brothers, sisters, and siblings.

With our theme of ‘This is Why,’ caregivers welcomed each other to one of our first in-person events in more than a year. I got to share my experience with caregivers as part of the Everett ‘This is Why’ panel where I talked about the latest news on HADit, our campaign against the harassment, abuse, and discrimination of caregivers. So many of us worked hard to make HADit happen during the 2020 legislative session, but to see the work being done to make sure caregivers know about our resources and rights and having it in our contracts is huge! It’s wins like these that help remind me why we work so hard as a Union and as caregivers. And to come together to celebrate our strength, even during some of the toughest years, is amazing.

– Melissah Watts, Parent Provider, Seattle, WA
Watch our recap videos: seiu775.org/2021summits

IPs start the move to CDWA

I was part of the first group of IPs to transition to Consumer Direct of WA (CDWA) alongside about 200 others to test the system. All IPs are moving to CDWA, our new legal employer, in the next few months as they are replacing the State of Washington and taking over things like payroll from IPOne. This is a big move, but our wages, benefits, and representation we count on as part of our SEIU 775 Union contract will stay the same and clients will continue to direct their own care.

I, like many others, was a little wary of this move at first, but the transition process wasn’t really hard. My biggest tip for IPs is to pay close attention to your email when it comes to the CDWA transition because it’s important to get all the steps done, so that we get paid on time by CDWA.

There’s also a lot of resources from our Union to help IPs as we move to CDWA including a video with tips from me on what I learned to make the process easier for you on our website.

About 15,000 IPs started the process in November and the rest of our IPs will start in January of 2022.

– Rhonda Parker, IP, Bucoda, WA
Learn more: seiu775.org/CDWA

It’s time for $20 an hour!

As caregivers, we are taking care of another life, and this is incredibly important work. Our jobs of caring for others need to be paid in a way that shows the importance and value of caregiving.

Having higher wages isn’t just about making ends meet. It’s about respect for the work that caregivers do. That’s why our Union has started Time for $20: the campaign to get a starting wage of at least $20 an hour for all long-term caregivers in Washington.

A starting wage of at least $20 an hour will allow caregivers to provide for ourselves and our families, and it’s a huge step towards getting the dignity and respect we deserve.

As the 2022 legislative session begins, we will need to keep fighting to make sure caregivers are treated like the essential workers we are. It’s up to us to keep the pressure up on our elected officials and make sure they hear us loud and clear. We’ll need as many people as possible demanding change this year – because we’re stronger together!

– Miranda Bridges, IP, Moses Lake, WA
Listen to our Time for $20 tele-town hall: seiu775.org/tth