SUMMARY OF

BETWEEN

UNITED DOMESTIC WORKERS OF AMERICA,
NUHHCE, AFSCME, AFL-CIO

AND

ORANGE COUNTY IHSS PUBLIC AUTHORITY

This contract will be in effect from September 16, 2003 until September 15, 2004, at which time we will renegotiate new terms.

1. RECOGNITION. County recognizes United Domestic Workers of America as the exclusive representative of home care workers employed by the IHSS Public Authority.
   
2. WAGES. The wage for home care workers in Orange County will increase by $.89 to $8.00 per hour. This is near thirteen percent (13%) wage increase!
   
3. REOPENER. We have the right to negotiate additional wage increases anytime during this contract if there is increased IHSS funding at the state or federal level.
   
4. HEALTH INSURANCE. All workers with authorized hours of 80 or more per month will be entitled to participate in a county-paid, comprehensive health insurance plan, which will include:
   
   • Hospitalization
   • Medical office visits
   • Annual physicals
   • Prescription drug coverage
   • Emergency care
   • Dental &/or Vision (depending on cost)
     
   The County will provide sixty cents ($.60) for every hour of service under this contract for health insurance. A joint Union-County trust fund will find the best plan with the lowest charge for doctor visits, prescriptions, etc.
   
5. DIRECT DEPOSIT. The Public Authority and the Union have agreed to work together towards and urge the State Controller to establish a direct deposit system, so workers' paychecks can be deposited directly into their bank accounts on payday, without delay.
   
6. TRAINING.New home care workers may be required to attend orientation training. The Union and the Public Authority may establish other training programs as necessary.
   
7. GRIEVANCE.The procedure for resolving complaints of workers who believe the Public Authority has violated the Union contract includes a series of steps ending with binding arbitration.
   
8. LABOR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. Union workers 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 Orange County.
   
9. NO STRIKE/NO LOCKOUT. There will be no strikes and no lockouts during the life of the contract and during negotiations for its renewal.
   
10. PUBLIC AUTHORITY RIGHTS. The Public Authority is as an agency independent of the County of Orange. Unless otherwise specified in this contract, it retains the right to determine the methods, means and personnel by which its operations are to be conducted.
    
11. AGENCY SHOP. This is a very important part of the Union Contract. We urge you to read this information very carefully. Under an “Agency Shop”, all workers, with certain ex-ceptions, must become members of the Union and pay Union dues. 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. The Bargaining Council members believe that everybody who enjoys the pay raises, health insurance, and other benefits should share in the cost of supporting the union.

The law does allow certain exceptions. Workers who choose not to become union members may not participate in the running of the Union , including voting on union contracts, and still must pay a portion of the dues and fees for the cost of representation. Likewise, workers who do not support the Union 's political and organizing activities, must still pay their “fair share” of the Union 's expenses in representing them.

UNITED DOMESTIC WORKERS OF AMERICA

President - Ken Seaton-Msemaji Secretary-Treasurer - Fahari Jeffers Regional Director - Cynthia Hanna

Union State Headquarters: UDW State Headquarters Your Regional Office: UDW Orange