Governor Chris Gregoire “Walks A Day in the Shoes” of a Tacoma Home Care Worker

June 30, 2008

As part of SEIU’s program to ensure that candidates running for political office at the national, state and local level experience firsthand what life is like for working people, Governor Chris Gregoire walked a day in the shoes of Tacoma home care worker Rosa Vadillo. After breakfast with Vadillo and her family, Gregoire assisted Vadillo in caring for one of her home care clients, Rita Madding.

The two prepared and served breakfast, changed bed linens, and completed other tasks Madding is unable to perform because of her illness. A cancer survivor, Madding woke up one day last year and couldn’t move her legs. Doctors performed a number of tests but still haven’t been able to diagnose her condition.

“Home care workers across this state make it possible for our clients to stay in their homes and still receive the care and assistance they need each day,” said Vadillo. “After walking a day in my shoes, I hope the Governor understands how important and rewarding my work is. Rita isn’t just my client, she’s a part of my family.”

Originally from Mexico, Vadillo came to the U.S. in 2000 to ensure a better future for her family. She’s been a home care worker for seven years and currently cares for two clients a day. Vadillo is one of 34,000 long-term care workers across Washington State and Montana who are members of SEIU Healthcare 775NW and who united with SEIU to win improvements on the job and a better life for themselves and their families.

“Because I have a union I’m able to do the job that I love and support my family,” added Vadillo. “I told the Governor that because home care workers united with SEIU, we were able to win higher wages, affordable health care, and paid time off. And now we’re uniting to win additional training opportunities to give us a stronger voice in patient care.” 

Gregoire is the first sitting governor or gubernatorial candidate to ever walk a day in the shoes of an SEIU member. Vadillo is the first immigrant to host a candidate on a “Walk a Day”. SEIU members across the country are inviting candidates for races from Mayor to Governor to experience firsthand what its like to work and raise a family in America.

To date, presidential candidate Senator Obama, former presidential candidates Senators Biden, Clinton, Dodd, Edwards, and Governor Richardson, current and former Minnesota Senate candidates Al Franken, Mike Ciresi, and Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, Maine Senate candidate Rep. Tom Allen, and New Mexico Senate Candidate Rep. Tom Udall have participated. Other “Walk a Day” events are planned for Washington State before election day.

The video, photographs and other information related to Governor Gregoire’s “Walk a Day” will be available later this week at www.seiu775.org. You can watch other videos of candidates walking a day in the shoes of SEIU members at www.WalkADayInMyShoes2008.com.

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Rosa Vadillo is a member of SEIU Healthcare 775NW, a local union that represents almost 34,000 home care and nursing home workers in Washington State and Montana. It was formed in 2003 when home care and nursing home workers from several different SEIU locals united together to form a union focused specifically on long-term care workers and issues.

Vadillo cares for Rita Madding through ResCare, a human services company founded in 1974 and dedicated to helping people in need. ResCare provides job training and educational support to individuals with developmental or other disabilities; education and training to young people through the Job Corps program; one-stop employment and training to people experiencing barriers to employment; and support to older people in their homes.

With 2 million members nation wide, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in North America. Focused on uniting workers in three sectors to improve their lives and the services they provide, SEIU is the largest health care union, including hospitals, nursing homes, and home care; the largest property services union, including building cleaning and security; and the second largest public employee union.