• Meet your elected leaders for Riverside ADDUS
• Negotiation History
• Wages & Benefits 
• ADDUS Area Informational Meetings
• UDW Trains ADDUS Union Stewards
• Hemet Area Members Celebrate Holidays together

UDW RIVERSIDE-ADDUS ELECTED OFFICERS

Chapter Chairperson: Rosa Ramirez
Chapter Secretary Treasurer: Margie Kirkwood
Chapter Vice-Chair: Open
Chapter Executive Board Member: Arcelia Vega
Chapter Executive Board Member: Rosalina Flores

UDW Riverside ADDUS Chapter Chair
Rosa Ramirez

My name is Rosa Ramirez, and I live in Hemet California. I am a widow, I have one son and one daughter, three granddaughters and one grandson. In my spare time I like to crochet baby blankets, do some sewing, and I like to collect frog figurines!

I have been a care provider with ADDUS Healthcare and a member of UDWA for almost twenty years. I really like what I do; taking care of the handicapped and the elderly makes me very happy. My clients are not related to me, but I look after them as if they were part of my family, and helping them to be able to stay in their homes is my number one priority.

Last year I was very active with UDWA. I participated in the rally that took place in Los Angeles, to protest Governor Schwarzenegger’s deep cuts to the IHSS program. I also participated in the rally at the State Capital for the same purpose; to oppose cuts to homecare for Californians. I also helped with the letter writing campaign to the legislators and senators.

As a shop steward, I have helped ADDUS care providers to solve some of their problems, like getting back their hours.

I am proud to represent you as Riverside Addus Chapter Chair, and I will continue to represent you at the UDWA Executive Board Meetings.

Sincerely,
Rosa Ramirez

UDW Statewide Vice President
Rosalina Flores

I am a home care worker for ADDUS healthcare. I am a mother of four children and live in Hemet, California. I began working for ADDUS in Hemet about seven years ago. I began as a home maker (ADDUS provider) for two years and then I became an ADDUS supervisor. I later took a leave of absence to study medical administration and then came back to work as a home maker because I love doing home care. I have been with ADDUS for four years since then.

I became involved with the union after my supervisor got fired for no good reason. I tried to speak out for her, but I felt that I had no voice. When I came in contact with the union at a meeting, the organizers made me feel that I belonged and that I had power behind me with my union. I became a union steward. Since then, I have been part of our negotiations with ADDUS through the bargaining committee. I have been elected as delegate for the UDW Constitutional Convention in which we passed the new constitution by which our union is now governed. I recently was elected by my co-workers in ADDUS of Riverside County to act as their Chapter Chair.

It is an honor to represent all the ADDUS workers in Riverside at the Chapter Board as well as the Executive Board. I want to learn as much as I can and develop my skills and advocate for my co-worker’s individual issues as well as stand out for our rights as a union.

In Solidarity,
Rosalina Flores
UDW Statewide Vice Presidentr

Riverside ADDUS Members Celebrate the Holidays at Hemet Meeting

Rosa Ramirez, and Bertha Urias, Victoria Toscano and Maria Avila — Sharing the Season with Good Friends! –

ADDUS AREA INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS (AIM’s)

Area Informational Meetings for ADDUS workers in Riverside, are to update members on political events or local bargaining processes that affect IHSS workers wages benefits; also community actions, advocacy for clients, and a chance to network with other people in the local neighborhood. AIM’s are open to ADDUS providers and community supporters. Refreshments are served — we welcome you and hope you will join us!

ADDUS Area Informational Meeting, October 21 2009 Focused on the California budget situation and how it affects ADDUS providers and consumers.

UDW Trains Stewards for ADDUS Workers

 Butte ADDUS  and Riverside ADDUS members with UDW President Laura Reyes, other trainees and staff.

Communication Bulletin Boards for ADDUS Providers

Ramiro Cordoba, UDW contact for ADDUS providers shows off new communication tool for workers.

Negotiation History for ADDUS Providers

• The original contract went into effect January 7, 1985 and there has been an agency contract up to the current time.
• The current contract has been extended, and we should have a new contract in place soon.
• At the inception date of the original contract, the employees were working as Individual Providers earning minimum wage without any benefits whatsoever.
• Over the years, ADDUS workers have enjoyed increased wages and a good number of benefits (see below).

The current contract (Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU) has language that states if either party does not reopen for negotiations, the contract automatically renews for one year. Three contract extensions have been signed since the MOU’s expiration, the current extension is posted below.

Wages and Benefits for ADDUS Providers Under the Present Contract

UDW ADDUS contract for Riverside has been extended, with no changes. We are presently in negotiations (see above). The governor’s proposed wage cuts do not affect ADDUS contracts.

Wages vary from $8.10 to $12.30 per hour depending upon length and type of service.

All employees accrue vacation and sick leave benefits.

Mileage reimbursement is at the rate of $.26 per mile.

Health Insurance benefits are for full-time employees, those working at least sixty-five (65) hours a pay period, wherein the Company pays 80% of the premium and the employee pays 20%. The coverage is with Kaiser Permenente and the 20% paid by the employee is $45.91 each pay period or a total of $91.82 per month. There is a $5.00 co-pay for doctors’ visits and prescriptions vary from $5.00 to $30.00.

Dental and Vision Insurance benefits are for full-time employees, those working at least sixty-five (65) hours a pay period, wherein the Company pays 100% of the premium. Coverage is available to part-time employees at 100% of the cost of the premium.

Holidays – there are nine paid holidays for full-time employees, those working at least sixty-five (65) hours a pay period. They are New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and two personal days.