Following is a summary of the contract. The contract will
be in effect from July 1, 2007 to June
30, 2010 , at whichtime we will renegotiate
new terms.
1. Recognition.
The County recognizes
United Domestic Workers of America as the exclusive representative
of home care providers employed by the IHSS Public Authority.
2. Wages.
The wages for home care providers
in Merced County:
*October
1, 2007 $8.50 per hour
July 1, 2008 $9.00 per hour
* Depending on the implementation date of the new wages by
the State of California
3. Health Benefits.
- There will be an enrollment cap of 416 health benefits
slots for eligible providers.
- Eligibility for this contract year began at an average
of 90 hours per month
- The cap or number of maximum number of providers who can
be enrolled will be adjusted annually based on the amount
of funds available.
- In January 2008 if the cap is not met, the eligibility
hours will be reduced to anaverage of 85 hours
per month
- In January 2009 if 90% of the cap is not met, the eligibility
hours will be reduced to anaverage of 80 hours
per month.
- The County will provide the maximum amount of funds ($.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.
The following provisions of the first
contract will remain in effect;
they are:
4. Training. New home care providers may
be required to attend orientation training. The Union and
the Public Authority may establish other training programs
as necessary.
5. 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
arbitration.
6. Labor Management Committee. U nion members and the
Public Authority will meet regularly to solve worker problems
and make improvements in client care and the in-home services
program.
7. No Strike/No Lockout . There will be
no strikes and no lockouts during the life of the contract
and during negotiations for its renewal.
An Agency Shop election was held in November 2006 with all
the members of the Merced bargaining unit voting. Overwhelmingly
providers voted “Yes” toagency shop.
Under an Agency Shop provision, all providers, with certain
exceptions, must become members of the union’s Merced
bargaining unit and pay Union dues. It takes a lot of work,
a lot of money, and 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 benefits,
and other benefits. Overwhelmingly, the bargaining unit believes
that everybody who enjoys the pay raises and benefits should
share in the cost of union representation
The law does allow certain exceptions. Providers who choose
not to become union members still must pay dues and fees for
the cost of representation but may not participate in the running
of the Union , including voting on future Union contracts or
Union elections. Likewise, providers who do not support the
Union’s political and organizing activities must also
pay their “fair share” of the Union’s expenses
in representing them.
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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.
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2007 Merced Bargaining Team
Curt Ostrander, UDW/AFSCME, Lead Negotiator
Carrie Young, Deborah Dumm, Debbie
Owens, Jua Saeteurn,
Diana Mejia, Sylvia S. Salas,
Rudy Lopez
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