The UDW Bargaining Committee, made up of your fellow IHSS
providers, has negotiated a new contract with the Kern County IHSS Public
Authority. Following is a summary of the contract. The contract will
be in effect from July 1, 2007 through and including June
30, 2008 , at which time we will renegotiate new terms.
- RECOGNITION. The County recognizes United Domestic Workers of
America as the exclusive representative of IHSS providers in Kern County
.
- WAGES. Wages prior to this contract were $8.00 per hour. Contract
wages will be increased as follows:
$9.00 effective September 1, 2007 *
This
is a 12.5% wage increase!
*Increases are subject to the state’s continued funding
at current levels and
the state’s implementation schedule.
THE UDW BARGAINING TEAM
Curt Ostrander, UDW/AFSCME, Lead Negotiator, Marguerite Morrison,
NUHHCE
AND KERN COUNTY HOME CARE PROVIDERS
Antoinette Bowman, Lynn Haake, Evelyn Lopez,
Yolanda Rios, Teresa Swick
All the remaining clauses are from the 2005 – 2007
contract and are still in effect:
- HEALTH INSURANCE. A new increase in the funding level of 9% equates
to approximately $240,000 per year to insure additional eligible home care
providers in Kern County . The United Domestic Workers of America will provide
health benefits for those who are eligible. Eligibility for health insurance
is defined as those home care workers who work a minimum 75 hours per month
for a three month period. Premium co-pay is $10.00 per month and will be deducted
from workers’ checks on a monthly basis.
- GRIEVANCE. The procedure for resolving complaints of providers who
believe the Public Authority has violated the Union contract includes a series
of steps ending with advisory arbitration.
- LABOR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. IHSS Providers and Public Authority
representatives will meet regularly to work cooperatively to solve problems
and make new improvements in client care and the in-home services program
in Kern County.
- NO STRIKE/NO LOCKOUT. There will be no strikes and no lockouts during
the life of the contract and during negotiations for its renewal.
- PUBLIC AUTHORITY RIGHTS. The Public Authority is as an agency independent
of the County of Kern. The Public Authority retains the right to determine
the methods, means and personnel by which its operations are to be conducted.
- AGENCY SHOP. Under an “Agency Shop”, all providers,
with certain exceptions, must
become members of the Union and pay Union dues or representation
fees that are automatically deducted from your paycheck. A dues/fee structure
is attached. 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 insurance and other benefits.
Your Bargaining Council members believe that everybody who enjoys the pay
raises, health insurance, and other benefits should share in the cost of union
representation. Additionally, without the strength of an agency shop provision
we would be unable to protect our contract gains against state budgetary attacks.
The law does allow certain exceptions. People who refuse to become union members cannot participate in the running of the Union , including voting on union contracts. They still must pay a portion of the dues and fees. Even workers who refuse to support the Union 's charitable, political and organizing activities, must still pay their "fair share" of the Union 's expenses in representing them.
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. |
AL108/Kern1105RevE
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