Open Letter to KWA Members
Friday, January 29
It’s simple. As KWA home care workers, we want to hold onto what we have, and preserve the place we work. As KWA’s new Executive Director, Peter Ansara is trying to take away our money and benefits. We’re trying to bargain a new contract in good faith, but he insists on taking our money.
As a union, our brothers and sisters work at eight different home care agencies in Washington. None of the other agencies tried to take worker wages and benefits – only Mr. Ansara and KWA. This is how he’s doing it:
- KWA proposes up to a 30-cent pay cut. KWA now pays for L&I, which is workers’ compensation insurance. Mr. Ansara wants workers to pay for it. All seven other agencies pay for L&I, we shouldn’t have to pay.
- KWA is locking workers out of training. The new Training Partnership will not accept KWA workers because Mr. Ansara is trying to pay half the price. The state pays home care agencies a training stipend – 10 cents for every hour you work. Mr. Ansara only wants to pay a nickel, and keep the rest for KWA profits. That’s not fair when the state and all seven agencies pay their fair share – 10 cents an hour. Simple: No Dime, No Training!
Finally, we invite Mr. Ansara to participate in our Walk a Day in My Shoes program, where he would work as a home care worker for a day (preferably on a Saturday). Maybe then he could understand why we must stand together and say no to him taking our money and benefits. It’s time for you to respect us as home care workers Mr. Ansara!
In Solidarity, KWA Bargaining Team Members,
Glenda Faatoafe
Rosa Vadillo-Rodriguez
Deborah Moore
Joan Sonnier