(UDW/AFSCME) is representing ADDUS contract workers in Butte County If you are an Independent Provider, you should go to the CUHW Website for details of your representation.

Index for Butte County Pages

UDW in Butte County

Butte County Contract Providers (ADDUS)

Introduction to your UDW Butte-ADDUS
Chapter Chair, Russell Jones

I have been a care giver for the IHSS contract in Butte for sixteen years. I have been working with the union to improve our working conditions for ten years. In past years I have worked on bargaining committees, and represented members during times of disputes / grievance between these home care providers and Addus HealthCare Management. I have represented you in past UDW conventions; I have lobbied elected officials in both Sacramento and in Butte County. Additionally, over the past years I have held the title of Union Steward.

Now that I have been elected your Chapter Chairperson, it is my goal to be your voice on the new Statewide Executive Board. It is my hope that you will feel free to contact me with your concerns and that we can work together to improve the IHSS Contract in Butte County. It is my intent to put together a team of people like you to work with me to improve working conditions in this bargaining unit.

I thank you for this opportunity and look forward to serving you.
Russell Jones

Negotiations History for ADDUS Providers

• The original contract was effective February 22, 1985 and there has been an agency contract up to the current time.
• At the inception date of the first contract, the employees were working as Individual Providers earning minimum wage without any benefits whatsoever.
• Over the years, these workers have enjoyed increased wages and a good number of benefits.

Wages and Benefits for ADDUS Providers
Under the Present Contract

Your UDW Bargaining Team has reached agreement with ADDUS Healthcare in conjunction with your new 2-year contract. The following are the agreed upon changes:

Article 34: EFFECTIVE DATE AND DURATION OF AGREEMENT

July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009

APPENDIX “A” Wage Scale

New Wage Scale*

*New wages scale, following approval of revised billing by Butte County , will become effective January 1, 2008 and will be retroactive to September 1, 2007 for all hours worked between September 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007.

This new wage scale represents on average an increase of 5.5%. In addition, Steps B and C are now based upon 3 years and 5 years of service respectively. On average, ADDUS Butte Homemakers work approximately 850 hours per year, under the previous wage scale the average provider had to work 9880 hours or 11.6 years to move to Step B and 14040 hours or 16.5 years to move to Step C. Under the new scale a provider need only be employed with ADDUS 3years and 5 years respectively to reach Step B and C. UDW estimates approximately 44 Homemakers will automatically proceed up the new scale more rapidly by virtue of this agreement.

ARTICLE 22: HOURS OF WORK AND OVERTIME

SECTION 3: Travel Time

New Travel Time formula:

“Section 3. Travel time is the time spent in a single day traveling between clients. Effective upon ratification of this Agreement, travel time shall be based on the actual time traveled and shall be paid at minimum wage. The Company shall provide a daily schedule to Homemakers which minimizes travel the first and last client of each workday to the greatest degree possible.”

This new formula for computing travel time is based upon “actual time” spent traveling as opposed to the previous formula which was based upon the distance traveled and did not take into consideration travel delays experienced between clients. Additionally, the Company must provide each Homemaker with a daily schedule which minimizes travel to your first client and from your last client. This provision would ensure Homemakers paid travel time is maximized.

ARTICLE 27: FUNERAL LEAVE

Added: sibling to the list of immediate family:

“To make funeral arrangements and to attend the funeral of a member of the immediate family (mother, father, child, sibling , husband, wife, mother-in-law, father-in-law, grandmother, grandfather or grandchild, uncle or aunt) employees will be given a leave of absence up to seven (7) days without pay, provided reasonable notice is given.”

APPENDIX B

Two (2) new duties:

•  Service Animal Support Services - Services related to meeting the needs of service animals in fulfilling their role to assist consumers, as identified by the Company. These services are related to the care and feeding of the service animal and specifically do not include veterinary supportive services, hygiene services, or waste management/ processing services.

•  Equipment Care Services – Services related to general care and maintenance of equipment essential to the consumer's activities of daily living as authorized by the Company. These services do not include repair and complex maintenance procedures that require specific additional training beyond that which the consumer could complete, except for their impairment.

Home Care Provider Registry for Butte County

The In Home Support Services Public Authority has a Registry Service for home care workers and clients under the IHSS program, in Butte County. By registering with their data-base, you can:

• Find new clients, if you are a provider.
• Get a list of available, screened providers if you are a client that needs a worker.
• Register to become an IHSS Home Care Provider for the first time.
• Say what type of client you want and be matched with your requirements.
• Get training for yourself and for your client.

To join the registry, or get more information, contact:

IHSS Public Authority for Butte County
Butte Public Authority Registry Website
78 Table Mountain Boulevard
Oroville, CA 95965

Write: PO Box 851, Oroville CA 95965

Toll Free: 888/337-4477
Direct: 530/538-5262 TDD: 530/538-5045
Fax: 530/538-5263

IHSS Offices for Butte County

Contacting IHSS:

To make an application to become part of the IHSS program (as either a worker or a client), if you are already part of the program and need to talk with someone about your hours, or for problems or issues with time cards call the main number below. To find a new client or worker, call the Registry.

IHSS Main number: 530/538-7538
IHSS Registry: 530/538-5262

IN HOME SUPPORT SERVICES OFFICE LOCATION/MAILING ADDRESS:
Community Employment Center,
78 Table Mountain Boulevard
Oroville CA 95965
Phone: 530/538-5262


If you can not resolve an issue after a good faith effort, call your union representative for help.

 

Regional Meetings for ADDUS Contract Workers

Next Meeting for ADDUS Workers

IHSS Advisory Committee Meetings
IHSS Advisory Committee web page

Meeting Location (varies - consult website above):
Butte County Employment center, Dogwood Room
2445 Carmichael Dr
Chico , CA 95928

Contact:
Dave Brown, Committee Chair
530/898-6216
dmbrown@csuchico.edu

This is not a UDW (union) meeting. The IHSS Advisory Committee is a committee that is appointed by the Board of Supervisors, and includes IHSS home care providers (and clients - when possible). Its purpose is to provide ongoing advice and recommendations regarding IHSS to the Board of Supervisors, The Department of Social Services, and the IHSS Public Authority. Details of these meetings including minutes and schedules may be found at the Advisory Committee Website above. Meetings are open to the public (by request) and are usually held the first Monday of each Quarter.

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Butte County Board of Supervisors Public Meetings
http://www.buttecounty.net/cob/district_info.htm

Your County Board of Supervisors are the authorities who ultimately decide whether home care workers get pay increases and benefits. When home care workers appear at the Board of Supervisor meetings, we talk to the Board about the importance of our work, and let them know that we want them to represent us with their decisions. As taxpayers and voters, we elect members of the board, and they are therefore accountable to us.

The Board of Supervisors hold public meetings, during which anyone is allowed to speak. During negotiations it's important for home care providers to attend these meetings and speak before the board. Even if you are not comfortable speaking, your presence is crucial and shows political interest and influence. Bring your client(s) and family members. There is power in numbers. UDW can let you know when it is best to attend. Contact your UDW Regional Supervisor for Butte

The Butte County Board of Supervisors meets every second Tuesday at:
25 County Center Dr
Oroville CA 95965

Speakers during the public sessions must fill out a registration card and limit their comments (usually to two, or three minutes - depending on the county). For complete agenda, check the website: http://www.buttecounty.net/cob/agendas.htm

You can also call, write, or email your Board of Supervisors to let them know you are aware of their decisions and you are concerned about home care workers.

Each of the five Supervisors in Butte County has his or her own email address, office, and phone number. It is therefore best to go to their Website, where you can get all their individual data as well as determining which one represents your particular district in the County.

Butte County Resource Directory

This is a Local Community Resource section, and we are just getting started. We encourage members and clients to let us know about useful resources that might be listed. Contact: Webmaster

UDW also provides a directory for State and National resources (not local to your county) that are pertinent to care providers and their clients. Go to our Resources Page

Because we can not research every resource thoroughly, please read the disclaimer below carefully.

By providing the following information, United Domestic Workers of America does not in any way guarantee, approve or endorse the information or services available through these resources, nor does a listing indicate any association with or endorsement by the listed resource, to UDW. We are making this information available so that home care workers and their clients can inform themselves about other programs and services that they may be eligible for, and network on a local level.

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Independent Living Services of Northern California
1161 East Avenue
Chico CA 95926
Toll free: 800/464-8527
Direct: 530/893-8527

PASSAGES Adult Resource Center
Toll Free: 800/833-0109

Peg Taylor Center (Adult Day Health Care)
124 Parmac Road
Chico, CA
Phone: 530/342-7068