September, 2007

Your bargaining team made up of Riverside IHSS Providers has been negotiating a new contract with the IHSS Public Authority. Before this contract can take effect, it must be ratified (approved) by the union members of the bargaining unit. Following is a summary of the proposed contract. The contract will be in effect from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2011 , at which time 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. Implementation dates of new wage increases:

Dec 1, 2007 – Feb 1, 2008 * $9.75 per hour July 1, 2008 $10.25 per hour July 1, 2009 $10.75 per hour July 1, 2010 $11.50 per hour *Depending on the State of California implementation schedule.

This is a 28% increase over the life of this contract and represents a 62% increase in wages since the first union contract in 2003!


3. Health Insurance. Providers who work 80 hours a month for three consecutive months are eligible for health benefits in a comprehensive health insurance plan which includes as part of the coverage: hospitalization , doctor visits, emergency care, annual physicals and prescription drug coverage. Health Insurance premium co-pay is 10% for all providers.
   Beginning March 2008 all eligible providers on the health insurance plan will also be eligible for the new benefit of dental and vision. Eligible providers will receive information in January 2008 regarding this benefit. There is no additional cost to providers for this benefit.
   The Public Authority health insurance capped funds will increase each July 1 st of this agreement by approximately 6 -7%.
   
4. Training. New home care providers may be required to attend orientation training. The Union is entitled to attend and make presentations at these orientations.

The 2007 UDW Riverside Bargaining Team

Curt Ostrander, AFSCME, Lead Negotiator
Marguerite Morrison, NUHHCE, Negotiator:

Riverside Home Care Providers: Felicitas P Connolly, Rosalina Flores, Chris Long, Martha Martinez, Kimberly J Schroff and Kristine Loomis, IHSS Client


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The remaining provisions from the previous contract are still in effect and unchanged:

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. Union providers and the Public Authority will meet regularly to solve provider problems and make improvements in client care and the IHSS 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.
   
8. Public Authority Rights. The Public Authority is as an agency independent of the County of Riverside. The Public Authority retains the right to determine the methods, means and personnel by which its operations are to be conducted.
   
9. Agency Shop. Under an “Agency Shop”, all providers, with certain exceptions, 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 law does allow certain exceptions. Providers who choose not to become union members still must pay a portion of the dues and fees for the cost of representation but may not participate in the running of the Union , including voting on union contracts. 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.

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.

UNITED DOMESTIC WORKERS OF AMERICA Union State Headquarters: UDW Headquarters Your Regional Office: UDW Riverside