Great news!! Working continuously since April 2003, the UDW Bargaining Committee has negotiated a contract with the El Dorado County IHSS Public Authority. Following is a summary of the proposed contract. The contract will be in effect from December 1, 2004 until November 30, 2007, at which time we will renegotiate new terms.

1. RECOGNITION. The County recognizes United Domestic Workers of America as the exclusive representative of home care workers employed by the El Dorado County IHSS Public Authority.
   
2. WAGES. Current wages are $6.75 per hour. Contract wages will be increased as follows:
   
   
   • $8.00 on December 1, 2004
   • $8.25 on July 1, 2005
   • $8.50 on July 1, 2006
   • $9.00 on July 1, 2007
   
   This is a 33% wage increase during the course of the contract!
   
   Effective dates of each wage are contingent upon approval by the state and on continued state and federal funding participation.
   
   
3. HEALTH INSURANCE. Health, Dental and Vision Benefits. The Public Authority will provide health, dental and vision benefits for those who work a minimum of 70 hours per month for two consecutive months, with no monthly premiums.
   
4. GRIEVANCE. There is a procedure with a series of steps for resolving complaints of workers who believe the Public Authority has violated the Union contract.
   
5. NO STRIKE/NO LOCKOUT. There will be no strikes and no lockouts during the life of the contract and during negotiations for its renewal.
   
6. PUBLIC AUTHORITY RIGHTS. The Public Authority is an agency independent of the County of El Dorado. The Public Authority retains the right to determine the methods, means and personnel by which its operations are to be conducted.
   
7. LABOR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. There will be a committee made up of IHSS workers, like yourself, and Public Authority representatives that will meet regularly to agree on ways to improve the IHSS program in El Dorado County.
   
8. AGENCY SHOP. This is a very important part of the Union Contract. Please read this information very carefully. Under an "Agency Shop", all workers, with certain exceptions, must become members of the Union and pay Union dues. It takes a lot of work, a lot of money, a lot of time and a lot of dedication on the part of Union members and Union staff to gain IHSS improvements and negotiate a Union contract with pay raises, health, dental and vision insurance and other benefits. Your Bargaining Council members believe that everybody who enjoys these pay raises and benefits should share in the cost of supporting the union.

The law does allow certain exceptions. Workers who choose not to become union members still must pay a portion of the dues and fees for the cost of representation but may not participate in the running of the Union, including voting on union contracts and running for union office. Likewise, workers who do not support the Union's political and organizing activities still must pay for the cost of union representation.

UDW members believe it is not fair for anyone to get a free ride at the expense of others and that no one should be able to enjoy the benefits of union representation, union contract negotiations, union wages and union benefits without paying their fair share.

 

UNITED DOMESTIC WORKERS OF AMERICA Union State Headquarters: UDW State Headquarters Your Regional Office: UDW North