After thousands of home care workers voted, last October 19, 2001, by a majority of 91% to authorize the United Domestic Workers of America to represent you, a Bargaining Council of your fellow workers negotiated a contract with the San Diego County IHSS Public Authority. This contract was ratified (approved) April 19, 2002 . The following is a summary of the contract the Bargaining Council negotiated. This contract will be in effect until June 30, 2003 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 IHSS Public Authority.
   
2. WAGES. The wage for home care workers in San Diego County will increase from $6.75 to $8.50 per hour ($1.75 increase). This is a 26 percent wage increase!
   
3. REOPENER. If there is increased IHSS funding in the upcoming California State budget there is a possibility that the Union can return to the bargaining table to negotiate an additional pay raise during the term of this contract.
   
4. HEALTH INSURANCE. All workers with authorized hours of 80 or more per month will be entitled to participate in a comprehensive health insurance plan, which will include:
   
   

   Hospitalization	Medical office visits
   Annual physicals	Prescription drug coverage
   Emergency care	Vision (depending on cost)

   
   The County has agreed to pay $180 a month for each eligible employee toward the cost of this plan. The plan has been developed and selected by a joint County-Union task force, whose assignment was to get the best possible plan with the lowest possible charge for doctor visits, prescriptions, etc. Enrollment information will be provided to you, through the mail.
   
5. DIRECT DEPOSIT. Although the State Controller in Sacramento handles the IHSS payroll, the Public Authority and the Union have agreed to work together toward a direct deposit system, so workers' paychecks can be deposited directly into their bank accounts on payday, without delay.
   
6. TRAINING. All new home care workers may be required to attend an orientation training for which they will be paid a stipend. The Union and the Public Authority may establish other training programs as necessary.
   
7. GRIEVANCE. There is a procedure for resolving the complaints of workers who believe that the Public Authority has violated the Union contract. The procedure includes a series of steps, leading, if necessary, to formal, binding arbitration.
   
8. LABOR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. A committee of 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 Diego County.
   
9. NO STRIKE/NO LOCKOUT. The Union and the Public Authority agree that 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 recognized as an agency legally independent of the County of San Diego and, unless otherwise specified in this contract, retains the exclusive right to determine the methods, means and personnel by which its operations are to be conducted.
    
11. AGENCY SHOP. Under an “Agency Shop” agreement, all workers, with certain exceptions, must become members of the Union or 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. People who refuse to become union members cannot participate in the running of the Union , including voting on union contracts. They still must pay a portion of the dues and fees. Even workers who refuse to support the Union 's charitable, political and organizing activities, must still 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

President - Ken Seaton-Msemaji Secretary -Treasurer/Chief Negotiator - Fahari Jeffers

Union State Headquarters: UDW State Headquarters Your UDW Regional Office: UDW, San Diego