San Luis Obispo County is proudly represented by United Domestic Workers of America (UDW/AFSCME)

Quick Links for San Luis Obispo County pages:

UDW in San Luis Obispo

Updates for San Luis Obispo County

Introduction to your UDW elected E-Board and
Chapter representatives for San Luis Obispo

Chapter Chairperson - Deborah Class
Chapter Secretary Treasurer - Stella Carrasco
Chapter Vice-Chair - Paula Fisk
Chapter Executive Board Member - Jackie Sandoval Smith
Chapter Executive Board Member - Delores Branham

San Luis Obispo holds Open House to celebrate the opening of their regional UDW office and the 2006 contract victory. More Photos

San Luis Obispo Ratifies New Contract!
See negotiation details below

Negotiations

• Sept. 2006:  After more hard work on the part of your bargaining committee, along with UDW/AFSCME staff, our historic 2nd contract was ratified for San Luis Obispo.
  
  Ratification was held Saturday, Sept 30 2006.  41% of the members returned ballots with 99.6% voting yes! Highlights:

  • $9.00 November 1, 2006
  • $9.50 July 1, 2007
  • $10.00 March 1, 2008
  • 60 cents an hour for health insurance (last contract 25 cents/hour)
  • $4,000 a year for training reimbursement for CPR
  • $4,000 a year for protective supplies for workers
    
  View complete legal contract (21 page PDF file)
  
  Congratulations to Deb Class, Lori Heizer, and Richard Lawrence and their fantastic negotiator, Curt Ostrander for this great second contract in San Luis Obispo.  Also thanks go to the UDW Member Call Center which helped to get the word out to everyone.

• Feb. 2006: UDW and San Luis Obispo home care workers put together a 12 member bargaining committee, for negotiations on the second contract.  (The previous contract expires June 30, 2006.)  This hard working team has five representatives from the hispanic community, and the entire committee will begin training together this month.  Check back with this page to get updates.  We may ask for your support during the negotiation process.
  Additionally UDW has formed a Labor Management Committee.
  
• Jan. 1, 2006: A Symetra (Select Benefits) Health and Dental plan will be offered to all eligible Independent Providers (IP's) who qualify.

Negotiations History:

• Feb. 17 2005: Regional Director Bob Battle met with the San Luis Obispo County Health Care Contractor to discuss how to administer the insurance program because the 25 cents, which was negotiated for health care was inadequate for even hospitalization. UDW sought legal counsel to determine our next steps to get health benefits implemented in San Luis Obispo County.
  
• August 30, 2004: As a result of intense negotiations and a lot of hard work on the part of UDW, together with your local bargaining committee (volunteer home care workers), the first contract ever negotiated in San Luis Obispo was ratified (approved by vote). Working continuously since early 2004 the Bargaining Committee negotiated a contract with the San Luis Obispo County IHSS Public Authority. The contract will be in effect from September 1, 2004 to June 30, 2006. This contract includes wage increases, health insurance, and agency shop for 1,300 workers.
  Many workers attended the ballot count in which 94 percent of the voting members approved their contract and 82 percent of the voting members voted to approve Agency Shop. Workers and staff celebrated the historic contract victory. Many thanks to the San Luis Obispo County bargaining team members for their dedication, diligence, and hard work on this historic contract.
  
• 2004: San Luis Obispo home care workers authorized UDW to represent them in collective bargaining for better wages and health benefits. This authorization took place through a "card check recognition," which means that over 50% of home care workers in the county signed cards saying they wanted UDW to be their representative.

Wages and Benefits Under the Present Contract

• Under the new second contract, wages are $9.00 on November 1st 2006, $9.50 on July 1st 2007, and $10.00 March 1, 2008.  Health benefits now have now moved up to $.60 per hour with an additional $4000 a year for protective supplies for workers, and $4000 a year for training reimbursement for CPR.
• Under the first contract on September 1, 2004 home care workers with the IHSS program had raises to $8.00 per hour, and on July 1, 2005 wages increased again to $8.25.
• Prior to UDW representation, wages were $6.95 per hour, with no medical benefits.
• See Negotiations for upcoming bargaining information. We may need your support during upcoming negotiations.
• Medical benefits are also available under the new contract, for all those who work approximately 80 hours per month. To learn more about this coverage, see below: Medical Benefit Information.

Labor Management Committee
for San Luis Obispo County

UDW and the IHSS Public Authority for San Luis Obispo County have formed a Labor Management Committee (LMC), to address any issues that are not covered in the contract and to work together on making the program better. If you have a concern you would like the committee to work on, please contact:

UDWA Regional Office for San Luis Obispo:
(877) 665-6627 Toll Free
(805) 473-4090 Office

PA IHSS Executive director for San Luis Obispo:
805-772-6343

Home Care Provider Registry for San Luis Obispo County

The In Home Support Services Public Authority has a Registry Service for home care workers and clients under the IHSS program in San Luis Obispo. By registering with their data-base, you can:

• Find new clients, if you are a provider.
• Get a list of available, screened providers if you are a client that needs a worker.
• Register to become an IHSS Home Care Provider for the first time.
• Say what type of client you want and be matched with your requirements.
• Get training for yourself and for your client.

Background checks are done on providers who join the registry.
To get more information, contact:

San Luis Obispo Public Authority For IHSS
PO Box 8119
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8119
PH: 805-772-6343
FAX:805-772-6345

Phone: 805-772-6343
FAX: 805-772-6345

Mailing Address
PO Box 8119
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8119

Medical Benefits Package for San Luis Obispo County

The Union and the Public Authority worked together to select the best possible benefits plan within the limits of funding available. Health and Dental benefits will be offered to all eligible Independent Providers (IP's) who qualify. Health benefits are carried through Symetra, and managed by the IHSS Public Authority, Information on enrollment is mailed to eligible workers.

In order for a Home Care worker to be eligible to enroll in the plan, records must show that you have been approved and paid to work 80 hours or more per month for two of three months, per three month eligibility period. If you have questions about eligibility, call the number below and they will look up your work history and mail you an enrollment packet if you are eligible.

Once the cap is reached, newly eligible Home Care Workers will go on a waiting list.
For more information contact:

Public Authority For IHSS
PO Box 8119
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8119

Phone: 805-772-6343

IHSS District Offices for San Luis Obispo County

 

In Home Support Services Intake
1086 E Grand Avenue
Arroyo Grande CA 93420
Morro Bay office:
In Home Support Services
1130 Napa Avenue
Morro Bay, CA 93442

Phone (central IHSS number): 805/781-1790
Registry: 805/772-6343
FAX: 805-772-6345

For problems with timecards or payroll call the central IHSS number and ask to be transferred to the correct department (depends on the city where you reside):
Phone (central IHSS number): 805 781-1790

Also see Payroll and Timecards for IHSS


If you can not resolve an issue after a good faith effort, call your union representative for help.

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IHSS PA Governing Board

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Local (Regional) UDW Meetings
for San Luis Obispo County

United Domestic Workers Regional Meetings
In the continuation of our efforts to communicate one-on-one with homecare workers, United Domestic Workers holds regional meetings several times a year. Locations for meetings vary within the county, so that members in all regions will have a chance to attend a local meeting.

It is important to the UDW leadership that we keep you well informed on the status of the state budget and other issues that affect your work as an IHSS homecare provider. As founders of the UDW, we appreciate and thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you at meetings!

Next UDW San Luis Obispo Regional Meeting(s)

UDW House Meetings
You can also host a "House Meeting" in your own home, or put together a meeting at your local church or community center. UDW will help you, and it is a great way to get to know other workers and clients in your area. Contact UDW Regional Director for San Luis Obispo

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San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors Public Meetings
http://www.co.slo.ca.us/Board_of_Supervisors_Inter.nsf/index.htm?OpenPage

Your County Board of Supervisors are the authorities who ultimately decide whether home care workers get pay increases and benefits. When home care workers appear at the Board of Supervisor meetings, we talk to the Board about the importance of our work, and let them know that we want them to represent us with their decisions. As taxpayers and voters, we elect members of the board, and they are therefore accountable to us.

The Board of Supervisors hold public meetings, during which anyone is allowed to speak. During negotiations it's important for home care providers to attend these meetings and speak before the board. Even if you are not comfortable speaking, your presence is crucial and shows political interest and influence. Bring your client(s) and family members. There is power in numbers. UDW can let you know when it is best to attend.

Contact UDW San Luis Obispo

The San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors Meets every Tuesday morning at 9:00 AM:
San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors
Government Center Board Chambers
1050 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo

Speakers during the public sessions must fill out a registration card and limit their comments (two, or three minutes - depending on the county). Specific meeting dates can be found on the Board of Supervisors Calendar page.

You can also call or write your Board of Supervisors to let them know you are aware of their decisions and you are concerned about home care workers. You may want to visit their website (link above) to find out which particular supervisor represents your district.

Call: 805/781-5450
Fax: 805/781-1350
e-mail: tarritt@co.slo.ca.us
Write: San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors
Room 370, County Government Center
San Luis Obispo, California  93408

How to Get Involved

Your union can not represent you without your involvement! We need your voices to be heard, and we need your help in communicating with others in your community.

If we are in negotiations in your county for better wages and benefits, the best thing you can do is to come join us at the public Board of Supervisors meetings. We try to fill the room with as many workers as possible so that they know we have a voice in the political process. To find out more contact your UDW Regional Office. If you can not come in person, you may also call or write your local Board of Supervisors.

You can also get involved by joining UDW committees and other volunteer positions to help home care workers and their clients:

• Becoming a Steward (communicating with your local neighborhood groups and individuals to let them know about important issues and meetings, etc).
• Bargaining Committee (contract negotiations)
• Labor Management Committee (LMC); communicating with IHSS Public Authority, and helping to address issues between home care workers and IHSS administration, that are not covered by the contract.
• Volunteer for local "phone-banking" campaigns, where you speak to other members and let them know about upcoming events or meetings.
• Host a "House Meeting" in your own home, or put together a meeting at your local church or community center.

For more information, contact Regional Office for San Luis Obispo