ENGAGING UNION MEMBERS AHEAD OF CENSUS 2020
Every 10 years, everyone living in the United States gets counted. It’s called the census. The 2020 Census will provide a snapshot of our nation—our population, where we live, and so much more. More than $700 billion in federal funding is distributed to states and communities each year. These funds support vital community programs such as schools, hospitals, housing, and food assistance. The California labor movement is committed to educating and engaging our members and their families on the Census to ensure a fair and accurate count. Below we have resources aimed at educating, supporting and recruiting both union and non-union members to participate in the 2020 census.
Why we need to fill out the 2020 census
- Funding for our communities
- School Lunches, Hospitals, Housing, Infrastructure, Support for families in need, Federal funding shapes our communities everyday needs.
- A Voice for California Workers
- Residents can use the census to support community initiatives involving legislation, quality-of-life and worker-focused advocacy
- Funding for the Union Jobs
- The federal funds based on the Census results support hundreds of thousands of jobs in the public and priovate sector, most of which are union.
How does the Census benefit working people?
Resources benefit everyone in our community and include good union jobs in areas such as the medical industry, trades, and public sector. The better we are counted, the better we are funded. Key federal programs also rely on data and allocations derived from the census, including:
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Medicare Part B
- Highway Planning and Construction
- Section 8
- Title I Grants
- Special Education Grants (IDEA)
- State Children’s Health
When does 2020 Census officially starts?
CENSUS TIMELINE
- MARCH 12 – 20: Invitation to complete the 2020 Census questionnaire online will be mailed
- MARCH 26 – APRIL 3: Reminder postcard mailed
- APRIL 1: CENSUS DAY!
- APRIL 8 – 16: Reminder and hard copy questionnaire will be mailed
- APRIL 20 -27: Final postcards mailed before an in-person follow-up
How will we be counted?
When it’s time to respond, most households will receive an invitation in the mail. Every household will have the option of responding online, by mail, or by phone. Depending on how likely your area is to respond online, you’ll receive either an invitation encouraging you to respond online or invitation along with a paper questionnaire. Once you receive your invitation in the mail, just follow the instructions on how to get counted!
ACTION:
Post your union members holding I Count and Yo cuento porque signs and TAG US!
Other Resources/Materials
Labor Counts
California Census
My Black Counts
Counting for Dollars