UDW Homecare Providers Union Merced County Office
1026 W. 18th St.
Merced, CA. 95340
Office: (209) 386-1120 | Toll Free: (866) 255-7313 | Fax: (209) 723-6862

Email inquiries: unionheadquarters@udwa.org

YOUR MERCED ELECTED CHAPTER OFFICERS

Chapter Chairperson: Edward Huddleson Jr. Chapter Secretary Treasurer: Josie Ochoa  Chapter Vice-Chair: James Clark Chapter Executive Board Member: Deborah Dumm Chapter Executive Board Member: Debbie Owens

From left to right: Chapter chair Edward Huddleston, Vice chair  James Clark,
Board member Debbie Owens, Sec. Tres. Josephine Ochoa

UDW Merced Chapter Chair Edward Huddleston Jr.

I have been a care provider for 5 years and a UDWA member for 4 years. I started getting involved about a year ago, when Rudy Lopez asked me to get involved and become a volunteer with my union. After doing this for awhile he then asked me about being on his chapter board as vice chair. I accepted and six months later Rudy resigned and the rest is history.

My goal as Merced Chapter chair is to help build our membership to 80% during my term as chair I would like to educate my members on what is going on local and statewide in the political field and let them know how important it is to volunteer their time to help “their union.” Because after all it is THEIR UNION.

I've been blessed to be able to work with a great staff here in Merced . And that great relationship will grow stronger. I would like to thank Rudy Lopez for everything he taught me and signing me up for the union in 2005.

BLESS THIS UNION.
Edward Huddleston Jr.
Merced Chapter Chair

Merced Negotiation History

• Prior to union representation by UDW, wages were $6.95 per hour with no medical benefits.
• June 2003: Merced County IHSS workers authorized UDW 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.
• August 2003 – September 2005: UDW conducted negotiations for a first time contract with the County of Merced, to increase wages and provide health care coverage. After two years of negotiations, our historic first contract with the Merced County Public Authority was won. Your bargaining committee comprised of home care workers together with their union, negotiated WAGE INCREASES AND BENEFITS:
• April – June, 2007: Your UDW Bargaining Team began negotiating with the County on April 26, 2007. The issues your bargaining team worded on were; wages, expanding health benefit eligibility to introduce more Providers to health benefits and to enhance health & safety and training programs.
• August 11 2007: The Merced Contract negotiated by your UDW Bargaining Team was ratified (voted on and passed) by an overwhelming majority of 98%. The contract included wage raises to $9.00 on January 1, 2008 as well as positive health benefits (see below).

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!

Wages and Medical Benefits

Wages are $9.00 per hour The current UDW contract includes health insurance benefits as follows:

• There is an enrollment cap (limited number of health benefit slots) for eligible providers.  Call the Merced IHSS Public Authority for more information on current status (if there is a wait-list).  Their phone number is: (209) 383-9504
• Providers must be authorized for (and work) a minimum of 80 hours per month to qualify.
• The County will provide the maximum amount of funds ($.60 per hour for every hour worked by Merced Home Care Providers) for the health care plan.
• Information on health benefits will be sent to you from the Public Authority when you have met the eligibility requirements.
• Additional Benefits; The Public Authority has agreed to explore the implementation of a procedure for the distribution of safety equipment to providers which may include items such as safety gloves. This procedure will be on an as needed basis and with fiscal constraints.

Home Care Provider Registry for Merced County

The In Home Support Services Public Authority has established a Registry Service for home care workers and clients under the IHSS program in Merced 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.

Background checks are done on providers who join the registry. To get more information, contact:
Merced County Public Authority For IHSS
PO Box 112 Merced , CA 95341
Phone: 209/ 383-9504 Fax: 209/725-3836

Website: http://web.co.merced.ca.us/aaa/ihsspublicauth.html

Merced 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 Merced County Regional Office for more information.

IHSS District Offices for Merced County

Contacting IHSS:

2777 N Hwy 59
Merced, CA 95348
Phone: 209/722-1738

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: 209/722-1738 Also see Payroll and Timecards for IHSS

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

Merced 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.

Meeting times and dates are usually posted at the County Courthouse prior to the meeting. For more information call: Merced County Public Authority for IHSS: 209/722-1738

Merced County Board of Supervisors

http://www.co.merced.ca.us/index.aspx?nid=61

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, Merced County Speakers during the public sessions must limit their comments (usually to two, or three minutes – depending on the county). The meeting schedule and agenda for the Merced County Board of Supervisors is available at the BOS website (above) as well as minutes of previous meetings.

The Board meets on scheduled Tuesdays at 10 a.m. in the Board Chambers on the third floor of 2222 M Street, Merced. 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. There are five districts in Merced County, each with its own supervisor. Each Supervisor has his or her own email address, office, and phone number. It is therefore best to go to their website (above) , where you can get all their individual data as well as determining which one represents your particular district in the County.