Great news!! Working continuously since early 2004, the UDW Bargaining Committee, made up of your fellow IHSS workers, has negotiated a contract with the San Luis Obispo County IHSS Public Authority. Following is a summary of the contract. The contract will be in effect from September 1, 2004 to June 30, 2006 , 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 workers employed by the San Luis Obispo County IHSS Public Authority.
   
2. WAGES. Current wages are $6.95 per hour. Contract wages will be increased as follows:
   
   
   • $8.00 on September 1, 2004
   • $8.25 on July 1, 2005
   
   This is a 19 % wage increase in less than 10 months!
   
   
3. HEALTH INSURANCE. The Public Authority will provide 25 cents ($.25) for each hour worked towards health benefits for those who work approximately 80 hours per month .The Union and the Public Authority will work together to select the best possible health benefits program. Information on the program will be mailed to eligible workers upon contract approval and selection of the health program.
   
4. 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 an appeals board.
   
5. 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 San Luis Obispo County.
   
6. NO STRIKE/NO LOCKOUT. There will be no strikes and no lockouts during the life of the contract and during negotiations for its renewal.
   
7. PUBLIC AUTHORITY RIGHTS. The Public Authority is as an agency independent of the County of San Luis Obispo. The Public Authority retains the right to determine the methods, means and personnel by which its operations are to be conducted.
   
8. AGENCY SHOP. Agency Shop requires you to either join UDW or pay UDW a service fee. The Agency Shop provision was also approved by the employees. (We strongly urge you to join UDW as a member. As a dues paying Union member you would have the benefits and privileges of membership that are not available to you as a service fee payer.) 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 and other benefits. Your 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 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, workers 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.

AL108/SLO1105RevC

UNITED DOMESTIC WORKERS OF AMERICA Union State Headquarters: UDW State Headquarters Your Regional Office: UDW, Central Coast