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El Dorado county
is proudly represented by
United Domestic Workers of America (UDW/AFSCME)
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Index for El Dorado County pages:
UDW in El Dorado County
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Regional for El Dorado:
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United
Domestic Workers of America
6256 Pleasant Valley Road, Suite 1
El Dorado, CA 95623
(530) 344-1753
(530) 344-1757 Fax |
e-mail inquiries: |
unionheadquarters@udwa.org |
News and Updates for El Dorado County
Local
Chapter Officers Installed
Chapter Chairperson - Marianne Nelson
Chapter Secretary Treasurer - Virginia La Brie
Chapter Vice-Chair - Amy De Braga
Chapter Executive Board Member - Lenora Arterburn
Chapter Executive Board Member - Antionette Day
Your new El Dorado Chapter
members, with UDW President & Executive Director
Left to right; Doug Moore UDW Executive Director;
Marianne Nelson El Dorado Chapter Chair; Laura Reyes UDW President; Amy Debraga
El Dorado Chapter Vice Chair;
Antionnette Day El Dorado Chapter Excutive Board
member;
Virginia LaBrie El Dorado Chapter Secretary Treasure.
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February 2008; El Dorado County held Installation
Ceremonies for their new Chapter Officers. Members in El Dorado have
direct representation at UDW headquarters through their chapter officers
and can bring their issues to chapter meetings held locally. The El Dorado
chapter chair (Marianne Nelson, right) sits at the UDW Statewide E-Board
along with chairs from each UDW county. Members can
reach all El Dorado chapter officers at the
El Dorado UDW Office
Right, UDW President Laura Reyes speaks to new El Dorado Chapter
Officers, as Marianne Nelson signs installation papers. |
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Introduction to your UDW elected E-Board
and
Chapter representative for El Dorado
Full list of Chapter Officers above
 UDW
El Dorado Chapter Chair
Marianne Nelson
I am proud to serve El Dorado County. I am a provider of 33 years for
my daughter as well as other people which has made me acutely aware of
all the different "hats" a
care provider must wear and the numerous challenges we face.
Because IHSS is a government funded program and
because my county is near Sacramento I have additionally been very aware of the
battles we have fought almost every year to keep IHSS from being cut. I
have represented our members and their clients at the capital in the Senate,
at Legislative hearings and in the Assembly; through appearances and testimony
about the program and what care providers face in the real world.
I served as a delegate at the San Diego convention in March of 2006
when our new constitution was adopted. I have put on local meetings to
keep the members informed about advocating for clients so that they are
assessed correctly and get the hours they are entitled to. I've
visited many members in the home environment that we all work in as providers
because I know how difficult it can sometimes be for providers to leave
the home. I am also currently
on the negotiation team and serving you as a member organizer. I have
met many good people and listened to the needs of providers and their
clients in order to know them and speak for them.
I hope to lead El Dorado in a positive direction and unite us all.
Thank you for your confidence in me and your participation in the meetings
when you get the call. This is what makes us strong.
Marianne Nelson
El Dorado Chapter Chair
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El Dorado County develops local
leadership
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Meetings were held in South Lake Tahoe to mobilize members and develop
local leadership for El Dorado County.
IHSS workers and activists came together with UDW staff in the Leadership
Development Training program.
In this training UDW members learn about how their union works and how
to contact other home care providers and get them involved.
UDW must rely heavily on members communicating with each other because
most work from their homes, or their client's home and there is no "common
meeting place."
Getting involved with other providers through their union gives home
care workers a social and networking forum.
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Above and right, some of your local El Dorado member-leaders, participating
in the training.
Would you like to get involved? Help other home care workers? Contact
UDW:
Toll Free: (888) 492-8985
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Your El Dorado bargaining committee, hard at work negotiating the first time contract for all home care workers in the county. |
Negotiations
- February 24, 2003: El Dorado
County IHSS workers authorized United Domestic Workers to represent them, through a representation election. This means that a majority (over 50%) of the home care workers who voted, said "yes" they want to be represented by UDW in collective bargaining for better wages and health benefits.
- April 24, 2003: Negotiations began.
- October 2004: After more than a year at the bargaining table, and many appearances before the
Board of Supervisors, UDW (together with your local El Dorado bargaining committee) and El Dorado County reached agreement on their first contract.
- November 1, 2004: The first contract ever negotiated in El Dorado was ratified (approved by vote).
- December 1, 2004: The new contract goes in to effect, which provides increased wages and first time health care benefits for home care workers.
View Summary of 2004 El Dorado Contract
- March 1, 2005: Benefits Package, including health, dental, and vision benefits, take effect.
- We will begin new negotiations prior to the expiration of the current contract. If you would like to participate in this process, contact your El Dorado UDW Office.
Wages and Benefits Under the Present Contract
- Prior to UDW representation, wages were $6.75 per hour, with no medical benefits.
- Under the new contract as of December 1, 2004, IP home care workers with the IHSS program will make $8.00 per hour, going to $8.25 July 2005, then $8.50 in July 2006, $9.00 by July 2007. Contract ends December 2007.
- Medical benefits are also available under the new contract, see below: Medical Benefit Information.
*Effective dates of each wage are contingent upon approval by the state
and on continued state and federal funding participation.
Home Care Provider Registry for El Dorado County
The In Home Support Services Public Authority has established a Registry Service for home care workers and clients under the IHSS program in El Dorado. 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.
Background checks are done on providers who join the registry.
To get more information, contact:
El Dorado Public Authority For IHSS
694 Pleasant Valley Road #9
Diamond Springs, CA 95619
Phone: 530/295-2748
Fax: 530/295-2779
Medical Benefits Package for El Dorado County
March 1, 2005: Benefits Package, including health, dental, and vision benefits, take effect
First time Medical Benefits Package negotiated by UDW in to the new contract, are administered by the El Dorado IHSS Public Authority.
In order for a Home Care worker to be eligible to enroll in the Plan, data records must show that you have been approved and paid to work 70 hours or more per month for two consecutive months prior to the enrollment period. 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. Information on enrollment will be mailed to eligible workers.
For more information on the complete details of coverage, qualification requirements, or an application:
El Dorado Public Authority For IHSS
694 Pleasant Valley Road #9
Diamond Springs, CA 95619
Phone: 530/295-2748
Fax: 530/295-2779
IHSS District Offices for El Dorado 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, to find a new client or worker, or for problems with time cards, call the number below.
El Dorado Public Authority For IHSS
694 Pleasant Valley Road #9
Diamond Springs, CA 95619
Phone: 530/295-2748
Fax: 530/295-2779
If you can not resolve an issue after a good faith effort, call your union representative for help.
Local (Regional) Meetings
for El Dorado County
United Domestic Workers Regional Meetings
In the continuation of our efforts to communicate one-on-one with homecare workers, United Domestic Workers holds regional meetings about every two months. Locations for meetings vary within the county, so that members in all regions will have a chance to attend a local meeting.
It is important to the UDW leadership that we keep you well informed on the status of the state budget and other issues that affect your work as an IHSS homecare provider. As founders of the UDW, we appreciate and thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you at meetings!
Next UDW El Dorado Regional Meeting(s)
UDW House Meetings
You can also host a "House Meeting" in your own home, or put together a meeting at your local church or community center. UDW will help you, and it is a great way to get to know other workers and clients in your area. Contact Regional Director for El Dorado
IHSS Advisory Committee Meetings.
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.
Meetings are open to the public. Contact IHSS PA for information on exact meeting times:
El Dorado Public Authority For IHSS
694 Pleasant Valley Road #9
Diamond Springs, CA 95619
Phone: 530/295-2748
Fax: 530/295-2779
El Dorado County Board of Supervisors
http://www.co.el-dorado.ca.us/bos/agenda.html
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 UDW, El Dorado
The El Dorado Board of Supervisors meets at:
Board of Supervisors Meeting Room
330 Fair Lane, Placerville
CA
95667
These meetings are open to the public. Speakers during the public sessions must fill out a registration card and limit their comments (two, or three minutes - depending on the county). For complete agenda and next meeting time, go to the El Dorado Board of Supervisors web page above, or call the number below.
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.
Call:530/
621-5390
Write: to address above.
Each Supervisor in the 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.
How to Get Involved
Your union can not represent you without your involvement! We need your voices to be heard, and we need your help in communicating with others in your community.
If we are in negotiations in your county for better wages and benefits, the best thing you can do is to come join us at the public Board of Supervisors meetings. We try to fill the room with as many workers as possible so that they know we have a voice in the political process. To find out more contact your UDW Regional Office. If you can not come in person, you may also call or write your local Board of Supervisors.
You can also get involved by joining UDW committees and other volunteer positions to help home care workers and their clients:
- Becoming a Steward (communicating with your local neighborhood groups and individuals to let them know about important issues and meetings, etc).
- Bargaining Committee (contract negotiations)
- Labor Management Committee (LMC); communicating with IHSS Public Authority, and helping to address issues between home care workers and IHSS administration, that are not covered by the contract.
- Volunteer for local "phone-banking" campaigns, where you speak to other members and let them know about upcoming events or meetings.
- Host a "House Meeting" in your own home, or put together a meeting at your local church or community center
For more information, contact UDW, El Dorado
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