UDW Homecare Providers Union Kern County Office
301 H Street, Suite C
Bakersfield, CA 93304
Toll Free (800) 851-7272 | Office (661) 321-0239 | Fax (661) 852-0741
E-mail inquiries: unionheadquarters@udwa.org

YOUR KERN COUNTY CHAPTER OFFICERS

Chapter Chairperson: Margarita Jaramillo
Chapter Secretary Treasurer: Cecilia Lozano
Chapter Vice-Chair: Helen Dorger
Chapter Executive Board Member: Julie Otero -

UDW Kern Chapter Chair
Margarita Jaramillo

Newsletter documenting previous activities (PDF)

I began my organizing skills in the late sixties and early seventies as a Vista volunteer for my community. During this time I attended Antioch School of Law in Washington D.C. and helped with my input to open a legal aid office and a community center for our barrio (our community). As part of my education and following my strong belief in community, I joined in many activities in the Chicano movement. During that era I also participated in City Workers strikes and attended many Chicano Communications Training Program Workshops for producing newsletters, posters, leaflets, letter writing campaigns and some photography.

In the community center (Centro de la Familia) opened in our barrio, I helped with administrative hearings at welfare and Social Security offices. In the Legal Aid office I was given hands on training in becoming a paralegal offering free services for completing divorces and establishing files on immigration to obtain needed documentation to help immigrants receive legal status. I worked alongside my older sister Concha Lopez to establish the Chicano Welfare Rights Organization; an organization established under the National Welfare Rights Organization. The organization was begun to interpret laws and regulations on welfare reform and provide these to our organizations as defense techniques in welfare hearings. I have also participated in many Cesar Chavez rallies throughout the years and have always believed in his ideals and his vision of better working conditions and wages — for all labor groups not only farm workers.

I’m currently providing in home support services for my 49 year old nephew who has cerebral palsy. My nephew Richard has lived with me for over 40 years, so he is like my own son. I do everything for him, from cutting his toenails to preparing his meals; changing his bed linens daily and laundering his clothing because of his incontinence. Richard can do very little except feed himself (with some spills!) I love him dearly and will now do anything it takes to make sure he is comfortable and safe. He will probably outlive me and my mission will be that he continues to be comfortable and have a decent kind of life. This is one of the many reasons I became involved with UDW. It is only by working together that we can ensure the safety of our clients, as well the continuation and improvement of the IHSS program for the future.

I have a lot views regarding this Union. I feel I have one of the best leaders in my county. Dante Harrison, UDW Regional Coordinator has opened my eyes to many things. He has inspired me to see a big vision of the Union – what is possible if we work together. I hope all of us can unite and make this vision come true. As a representative on your E-Board, I will be able to bring together everything I have learned and use all my skills toward helping other home care providers and their clients. My commitment to this union will be to make a difference by obtaining the wages and benefits we deserve.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity!
Margarita Jaramillo
Kern Chapter Chair

Negotiations, History

• March 2003: Kern County IHSS workers made minimum wage and had no health benefits.  They 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.
• February 15, 2005: Workers Ratify First Kern County Contract! The first Kern contract included an 18 percent wage increase, health benefits, and the establishment of a labor management committee.
• January 2007: Kern County members organized to form a bargaining committee for their next negotiations.
• February – May 2007: On February 1st the bargaining committee submitted their first proposal which included substantial wage increases, as well as increased funding for health care and other improvements for home care providers in Kern County.
• July 2007: New Contract ratified (voted on) with a 99% “YES!” Wages will be increased by 12.5%, to $9.00 per hour effective September 1 2007. (Increases are subject to the state’s continued funding at current levels and the state’s implementation schedule). Health insurance was also increased at the funding level of 9% which equates to approximately $240,000 per year to insure additional eligible home care providers in Kern County .
• 2008: New contract was negotiated bringing wages to $9.50 per hour.
• 2009-2010: A new contract was ratified in spite of very turbulent times for the IHSS program.  The Schwarzenegger administration continued it’s unsubstantiated and brutal attacks on IHSS, characterizing the program as “rife with fraud” (despite having no evidence), and proposed to shut down IHSS completely or cut the program by 80-90% to solve state budget shortages.  In spite of this negative climate, UDW was able to preserve the $9.50 per hour wage plus health benefits for our members.  Wages are however still currently subject to statewide litigation and to the State’s continued funding at current levels.
• 2011: UDW continues to fight alongside other IHSS advocates against statewide wage reductions initiated by the Schwarzenegger administration.  The case is still pending in the court system.  State budget cuts have not further impacted provider wages at this time, thanks to hard work by UDW in Sacramento.

MAKE SURE YOU ARE ABLE TO VOTE ON ALL CONTRACTS AND IN UNION ELECTIONS: Paying dues does not make you a union member. To be a member you need to have signed a Membership Card. Signing a membership card does not mean you pay any additional money - it does give you membership rights and privileges. Take your power and send in a signed union card!

Current Wages and Medical Benefits

• 2011: We have been able to preserve the present $9.50 an hour wages, despite very difficult times for IHSS.  Wages are currently subject to statewide litigation and to the State’s continued funding at current levels.
• UDW provides health benefits for those who are eligible, through the Union Health Trust. Eligibility for health insurance is defined as those home care providers who work and are paid a minimum 75 hours per month for a three month period. Eligible providers will receive information from the UDW when eligible. The premium co-pay will be deducted from providers’ checks on a monthly basis.
• If you have questions about your health benefits or wish to cancel your coverage please contact: Goldman and Walker Insurance Services 800 883-0902

Home Care Provider Registry for Kern County

The In Home Support Services Public Authority has established a Registry Service for home care workers and clients under the IHSS program in Kern. 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:
Kern County Public Authority For IHSS
http://www.co.kern.ca.us/aas/ihss_pubauth.asp
5357 Truxtun Ave
Bakersfield, CA 93309
Phone: 661/868-1000
Fax: 661/868-0921

IHSS District Offices for Kern County

In Kern County, all inquiries are generally directed through the same phone number, listed below. They will usually have the social worker come to your home. 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 number below. To find a new client or worker, call the Registry.

Contacting IHSS:
Kern County IHSS Public Authority
5357 Truxtun Ave
Bakersfield , CA 93309
Phone: 661/868-1000

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

PROBLEMS OR ISSUES WITH TIME CARDS

Phone: 661/868-1000

Also see Payroll and Timecards for IHSS

Kern County Labor Management Committee

In each county, UDW Homecare Providers Union and the In-Home Supportive Services Public Authorities (IHSS-PA) form a Labor Management Committee. These Labor Management Committees (LMC’s) have been established to provide homecare providers and management alike, an opportunity to work together to discover, discuss, and resolve issues/problems of mutual concern not covered by the Memorandum of Understanding (contract). The LMC will commonly explore and make recommendations about issues mutually identified that have impact on the working relationship between the UDWA, IHSS-PA, IHSS Home Care Providers, and IHSS Consumers.

Joining a Labor Management Committed in your county is a great way to get involved with your union. Contact the Kern County Regional Office for more information.

Kern County IHSS Advisory Committee Meetings are open to the public

IHSS Advisory Committees were created by a law which says the people who use the IHSS program should have a voice in how it is administered. This same law requires that the Board of Supervisors and the governmental departments who run IHSS listen to the recommendations of their IHSS Advisory Committee.

AC members must be comprised of a majority of IHSS providers and consumers, that are volunteers from the community who have first-hand experience with the IHSS program. The positions are appointed by the county Board of Supervisors.

Joining the IHSS Advisory Committed in your county is a great way to get involved in making the program better and meeting other providers and clients in your community. Advisory Committee’s are funded to provide transportation and expenses for members.

Meeting times and dates are usually posted at the County Courthouse prior to the meeting. For more information call:

Kern County Public Authority for IHSS: 661/868-1000

More details may be found at the Kern County Website:http://www.co.kern.ca.us/aas/ihsscomm.asp

Kern County Board of Supervisors

http://www.co.kern.ca.us/bos/

After the State sets the level of funding appropriated for IHSS, your County Board of Supervisors are the authorities who set pay levels and benefits in your county. UDW must negotiate with the County Supervisors, through their representatives, for your pay raises 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 Regional Kern Office

Meetings of the Board of Supervisors are held in the Board Chambers on the First Floor of the Kern County Administrative Center, 1115 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, California, every Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

These meetings are open to the public. Speakers must limit their comments to two minutes. The exact agenda may be read at their website or you may phone the Clerk of the Board for more information: 661/868-3585

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.

Write:
1115 Truxtun Avenue, 5th floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301

Call 661/868-3601

Or go to the website for individual e-mail addresses for each supervisor, as well as determining which supervisor represents your particular district in the County.