Economics

Home Care Workers Demand Gov. Brown Keep His Promise of Overtime Pay

Published

11 years ago

February 14, 2015

In-home care workers, union members, and seniors rallied outside the State building in downtown Oakland on Wednesday chanting, “Overtime is overdue,” demanding that Gov. Jerry Brown keep his promise of overtime pay for workers who provide in-home support to their clients.

The Oakland action was part of statewide events that took place this week from Sacramento to Santa Barbara and San Diego, highlighting the work that in-home workers provide to the elderly and people with disabilities.

In the 2014-15 state budget, Gov. Brown agreed to implement new federal rules that placed in-home care workers under the Federal Labor Standards Act, which translates to overtime pay after a 40-hour workweek. The new rules were to go into effect by January.

However, those rules have not been enacted, with the administration citing a “legal challenge from out-of-state, for-profit home care agencies.” According to a statement from unions representing home care workers, the federal ruling does not prevent the administration from implementing overtime rates.

“It’s time California moves forward and ends the second-class status of caregivers by fulfilling its promise for equal- ity and for protection of all workers,” said David Werlin, speaking at the rally. Werlin is Director of Member Strength for Northern California of the SEIU-ULTCW union that represents 180,000 home care workers in California.

“Our work is not visible, but it’s absolutely vital to the well-being of our clients,” said Virginia Duran, a home care provider in San Jose.

Home care provider Virginia Duran.

Over the past 18 months, Duran has cared for her 88-year-old mother who has gone through multiple surgeries in the past year. Duran told the Post she is paid for just 53 hours a month, but she often works around-the-clock to assist her mother who has limited mobility – having had surgery on both her knees and shoulder – and is on a restricted diet.

“Our clients count on us,” said home care provider Paula Saulsby from San Francisco County.

“To deny basic protections like overtime to homecare providers is wrong. It not only hurts workers like me, but it hurts the elderly and the disabled who depend on us, and it hurts millions of families that will count on us in the future,” she said.

“Every hour of our work is critical to our clients, and its time that Brown recognize that and treat us with the dignity and respect that we deserve,” Saulsby said.

Hundreds of workers also filed wage theft claims this week across the state to demonstrate their need for basic protections under labor laws.

On Tuesday, Feb. 24, Bay Area workers will take their message to Sacramento. They will load buses at 6 a.m. to rally at the Capitol and demand that Gov. Brown keep his promise.

For more information, call Ken Chambers at (510) 701-1588. For Spanish speakers, call (510) 701-3219; for Chinese speakers, call (510) 326- 2767.

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The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

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Women & Wealth: Tips for Navigating Your Lifelong Financial Journey

Published

3 weeks ago

March 15, 2026

Oakland Post

Sponsored by J.P. Morgan Wealth Management

We are in the midst of a seismic shift in wealth. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “Great Wealth Transfer,” describes the unprecedented movement of assets from the Baby Boomer generation to their heirs – an estimated $105 trillion by 2048. And women are poised to inherit most of this.

J.P. Morgan Wealth Management’s 2025 Investor Study found that women are not only set to receive significant wealth – they’re actively working to build it on their own. Ninety-three percent of women surveyed who are expecting an inheritance aren’t relying on it to reach their goals.

Here are a few tips for women to consider in their wealth-building journey:

Create a financial roadmap

A detailed, well thought out plan is important. J.P. Morgan’s study found that 90% of those surveyed with a plan feel confident about reaching their financial goals, compared to 49% without one.

Your plan should reflect your unique goals, priorities and circumstances. Consider your investment horizon and risk tolerance, and remember to revisit your plan regularly as life evolves.

Are you saving up for goals like buying a house, sending your kids off to college or retiring early? Where do you want to be in the next five, ten or twenty years? Everyone’s financial situation is unique, so it’s important to think about these questions and build a plan that is unique to your life.

Women tend to live longer than men on average. Many take career breaks or care for family members, which can influence long-term planning. It’s important to adjust your strategy with these factors in mind.

Where to start with investing

Don’t let misconceptions hold you back. Starting to invest doesn’t require a large sum, and beginning early can be beneficial. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to potentially grow over the years. Understand your overall financial situation, set clear goals and develop a long-term plan.

It’s important to also make sure you’re covered for unexpected expenses that come up before you start to invest. Build up a cash emergency fund, typically enough to cover three to six months of expenses, and pay down any high-interest debt.

Taking charge of your finances

The good news is that women are taking charge of their finances. J.P. Morgan’s research found that 75% of women respondents make financial decisions with their partner or take the lead themselves. For those who have a spouse or partner, it’s important for each person in the relationship to play an active role in the process.

Building wealth can be empowering for many women. The same survey found that 73% of women respondents said money gives them “security,” while 64% of Gen Z and Millennial women associated it with “freedom.”

The power of having a team

Some people find it helpful to work with a financial advisor, so you don’t have to tackle things alone. An advisor can help you craft a plan tailored to your needs and keep you on track throughout your lifelong financial journey. If you expect to receive an inheritance, you should also consult with estate planning and tax professionals.

No matter where you are on your wealth-building path, education is key. It’s so important to be an informed investor, and there are plenty of resources out there to help. You can find a library of free educational resources at chase.com/theknow.

As the landscape of wealth continues to evolve, women have a unique opportunity to shape their financial futures and those of generations to come. By staying informed and planning ahead, women have the tools to help them confidently navigate the Great Wealth Transfer and set themselves up for financial freedom.

The views, opinions, estimates and strategies expressed herein constitutes the author’s judgment based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice, and may differ from those expressed by other areas of J.P. Morgan. This information in no way constitutes J.P. Morgan Research and should not be treated as such. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions. For additional guidance on how this information should be applied to your situation, you should consult your advisor.  

JPMorgan Chase & Co., its affiliates, and employees do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any financial transaction.  