User:Stevefromsacto

'Steve Mehlman, APR'

Steve Mehlman, APR, is communications director for the United Domestic Workers of America (AFSCME Local 3930), which represents more than 60,000 home care workers in California. Inspired by Cesar Chavez, the union was created in 1979 as just the third labor union in the nation founded by African-Americans or Latinos (The first two were the Sleeping Car Porters Union and Chavez’s United Farm Workers).

Prior to joining UDWA, Mehlman was director of communications for the California State Employees Association. In addition to directing all internal and external communications activities for the 140,000-member organization and serving as liaison to the Capitol press corps, he was coordinator of the communications team for the statewide Californians for Health Care and Retirement Security coalition to which CSEA belonged.

He also served as a communications consultant for California Professional Firefighters, the largest affiliate in the International Association of Fire Fighters union. He was responsible for writing and editing the Annual Report, promoting CPF events, and writing for the union’s newspaper.

Before moving to California, Steve spent 30 years with AARP in a variety of positions, including director of media relations and manager of volunteer publications at AARP’s national headquarters in Washington, DC. He also served as AARP’s consumer program manager for their southeast regional office in Atlanta, and communications director for their southwest regional office in Dallas.

Steve has also served as director of public relations for the Financial Planning Association and press secretary to U.S. Rep. Robert Giaimo of Connecticut.