Taunton -- The union representing the 22,000 personal care attendants in Massachusetts is appealing to the state for a new contract that would provide health insurance, benefits and better wages.

"We’re making $10.84 an hour with no insurance, no sick time, no vacation, nothing," said Taunton resident Arthur Guidotti, who works as a personal care attendant for a client in Taunton.

Personal care attendants provide services to seniors and people with disabilities so they can live at home and lead active lives. Guidotti said responsibilities of the job may include cooking nutritious meals, performing household tasks, helping clients get in and out of wheelchairs, helping them bathe and making sure they get their proper medication.

"We’re taking care of people and medicating people, but we’re making less than people who work the counter at Dunkin’ Donuts in some cases," Guidotti said.

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Lou Wagner, a PCA from Gloucester and member of the PCA bargaining committee, attended a recent "town hall meeting" with Governor Patrick in Salem, where community members were invited to raise issues of concern. Watch a clip from Channel 5 news:

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Maritza Perez, a PCA from Lynn, wrote a letter this week to the editor of the Lynn Daily Item calling for fair wages and benefits for all Massachusetts personal care attendants. "Speaking from personal experience," she writes, "it is nearly impossible to make ends meet on PCA wages." Read her full letter (PDF).

On June 18, hundreds of personal care attendants, consumers and allies met at the State House to protest the state's rejection of an appeal for health insurance and a meaningful wage increase for PCAs. The crowd sent a message to the governor: PCAs deserve adequate pay and benefits before the home care system can fully improve in Massachusetts.

Representative Sullivan (D-Fall River) and Rep. O'Day (D-Worcester) spoke in support of PCAs, and the entire delegation delivered notes to the governor's office as well as "Letters of Hope", a special bound volume of letters to Governor Patrick from hundreds of PCAs and consumers across Massachusetts. While delivering the book, the Boston Metro reported, "both PCAs and those they help held hands and prayed. Such spirit enables both sides to get by when so little is offered."

Read full news coverage (PDFs):

• Boston Metro
• State House News Service
• Attleboro Sun Chronicle
• Amherst Bulletin
• Cambridge Chronicle

From the Worcester Magazine

They meet every week in coffee shops in cities and towns all across the state. They congregate as independent workers uniting to improve the conditions of their profession. They are known as personal care attendants or PCAs — the unlicensed, unskilled health care providers who tend to the sick, elderly and disabled. Their work allows thousands of Massachusetts residents to still live at home, independently.

For years, for little more than minimum wage, PCAs have worked with no health insurance and no benefits — many with no vacations, sick days or time off for bereavement.

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On Tuesday, April 1, Personal Care Attendants joined 1199SEIU members, allies and consumers to speak out for better wages, benefits, training options and state funding for a contract that improves PCA jobs as part of 1199SEIU Healthcare Advocacy Day. Hundreds of PCAs, consumers and allies delivered over 5,000 signed postcards and letters in support of better home care jobs.

Many legislators came out to support home care workers, including Public Health Committee Vice-Chair Rep. Alice Wolf, Sen. Robert O'Leary, Rep. Lida Harkins, Rep. Byron Rushing, Rep. Sarah Peake, Rep. Paul Donato, Rep. Dorcena Forry, Rep. Katherine Clark, Rep. Sean Garballey, Sen. Susan Fargo, Rep. Peter Koutoujian, Rep. Jim O'Day, Rep. Brownsberger and Rep. Ruth Balser.

The next PCA bargaining session will be held on Wednesday, April 9, at which time the Quality Home Care Workforce Council will be submitting an updated contract proposal by the state for review by the PCA bargaining committee.

View media coverage (PDF format) from:

• Boston Herald
• Boston Globe (photo and news story)
• Lowell Sun
• State House News
• Associated Press
• Boston Metro
• Boston Now

Watch news coverage by NECN:
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Personal care attendants across Massachusetts have been writing letters to the governor explaining why home care jobs are important. Better wages and benefits would help PCAs stay in the job and enable consumers to continue living independently.

Are you a PCA? Write a letter to Governor Patrick! Tell him about yourself, and explain why he should support improvements the PCA system. Mail your letter to:

Governor Patrick
Office of the Governor, Room 360
Boston, MA 02133

You can also sign a petition online to Governor Patrick urging him to support funding for good home care jobs in Massachusetts. Click on these letters by PCAs, consumers and allies to read them:

     

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Massachusetts home care workers on Nov. 9 voted to join the Service Employees International Union Local 1199 (1199SEIU), the healthcare workers union. The vote passed by a landslide of 94 percent. Click here to read the full article (PDF)