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San Diego County
is proudly represented by
United Domestic Workers of America (UDW/AFSCME)
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Quick Links for San Diego County pages:
UDW in San Diego County
San Diego
State Headquarters and Regional office for
San Diego County:
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United Domestic
Workers of America
2760 5th Ave. Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92103
(619)
263-7254
(800) 621-5016 Toll Free
(619) 283-3899 Fax
(619) 516-0409 Accounting Fax
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e-mail: |
unionheadquarters@udwa.org |
San Diego County
Introduction to your UDW local and
statewide
elected representatives from San Diego County
UDW President - Laura Reyes
Chapter Chairperson - Editha Adams
Chapter Secretary Treasurer - Virginia Wilson
Chapter Vice-Chair - Gerald "Brooks" Ashby
Chapter Executive Board Member - Albert Arrington
Chapter Executive Board Member - Cindy Ip
UDW Statewide President
Laura Reyes
First of all I really need to say how humbled and honored I am that
you have elected me as your President. I'm very excited about what
the future holds for us as home care providers.
I'm the mother of 3 children and provider for my oldest son Damian
who has Cerebral Palsy. I was a teacher for pre-school children at
the same time I cared for my son; I've always loved being an advocate
for children and people with disabilities. I have had to fight doctors
and bureaucrats all my son's life, to get him appropriate medical care.
I take great pride in being a provider for Damian and I know he wouldn't
be where he is today if I had not been able to care for him at home;
a strong, intelligent, and happy boy. The decision to care for him
at home came from the heart, and that is what home care providers do – I
know each one of you have made a similar decision and I know the sacrifices
that go with that decision.
I think of my fellow providers as brothers and sisters, and if we
come together we can create a big change in how care providers are
perceived; right from our relatives and neighbors to the local community
and on to the political climate in the state of California and the
nation. We are going to need care providers for our veterans coming
back from Iraq. We will need them for our aging parents. We
will need them for our disabled. This work has to be recognized
and valued.
When I joined UDW in 2002, I started by doing house meetings. I
never realized how many other providers were out there in my community
and I really enjoyed making those connections and becoming involved
with other providers. When I became elected as a delegate to the AFSCME
convention I realized I had to take a bigger part in my union to change
the way home care providers are perceived and I began to see how important
UDW is as a union. I became part of the committee that modernized
and wrote the present UDW constitution. I was also elected and
served as a delegate for our UDW Constitutional Convention.
I also got involved at the local level in San Diego; I joined the
task force to get better health insurance for the San Diego providers.
We still have much to change -- a lot of things to do, but I'm very
happy we were able to save our health insurance. Now we are working
on wage negotiations, and that is tough because the state budget and
the national economy affect our negotiations. Each county must negotiate
with their local Board of Supervisors for better wages, and I would
like one day to see each county having a BOS that would better represent
their constituents. We all need to build these relationships and work
on getting good people elected.
UDW can be a driving political force for change in this state. And
don't forget, California is leading the way for other states to have
home care. Home care is part of the revolution in health care this
country needs. It is time for us to take our rightful place in the
labor movement, and in the health care movement. Once we come together
and make our voices heard we will be able to affect LOCAL,
STATE, and NATIONAL policy.
Please make sure you register
to vote and cast your ballot in our upcoming local, state and national
elections.
Now that home care providers have taken back their union, I want to
encourage members to take part in their local Chapter Union Meetings
and really take part in running the UDW -- get involved! You as members
can have a big influence through your voices, your decisions, your
votes. YOU ARE THIS UNION.
I am committed to doing my best for my fellow brothers and sisters
in the United Domestic Workers, and making sure that your
vision is heard, seen, and acted on.
In Solidarity,
Laura Reyes
UDW Statewide President
UDW San Diego Chapter Chair
Editha Adams
My name is Editha Adams and I was born in the Philippines. I was raised
in Japan and went in school to finish my Civil Engineering degree.
I can speak three different languages which are Japanese, Tagalong,
and English.
I currently live in San Diego with my minor children and work with
United Domestic Workers of America.
My hobbies are to go outdoors, eat out, and watch movies. I'm a member
of our community church and am committed to attend Sunday mass.
I belong to the Fil-Am Organization and I'm still working to get involved
in any organization in the San Diego area.
Editha Adams
San Diego Chapter Chair
 UDW
San Diego Chapter
Vice-Chair
Gerald "Brooks" Ashby
I've been a care provider for 5 years. I'm a care provider for my
mother who is “82 years of young!” I provide care for all her needs
whatever they might be. I started working for the union two years ago
when we went into administratorship to help the members as much as
I can. I was elected as a delegate to the AFSCME convention (our parent
union) to help represent the UDW membership. Since then I became a
VMO (volunteer member organizer) to help volunteer my time to work
on different campaigns for the union. I then became a member organizer
and a member of the health care task taskforce to get a good insurance
plan for the membership in San Diego .
A year ago I ran for office within the union and got elected as Chapter
Vice-Chair for San Diego County where not only do I help the members
of my county but I also sit on the Executive Board on the State Level
to help service our membership of approx. 57,000 providers throughout
the state of California . I'm currently on the bargaining committee
for my county for higher wages where we're having negotiations with
the County Board of Supervisors.
I hope to continue my work with UDW and to help service the members
where ever I'm needed. I'm very proud to be a provider and a member
of this wonderful UNION we are Bigger, Better, and Stronger today than
ever before and we shall continue to make a way for better opportunities
for us all.
Gerald "Brooks" Ashby
San Diego Chapter Vice-Chair
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Update on Negotiations for
Decent
Wages
from UDW Executive Director
Doug Moore
Dear UDW Home Care Providers:
As you know, the United Domestic Workers of America's Negotiation Team
has been negotiating with the County Bargaining Team for better wages for
our home care providers since our contract expired in January 2008. Contract
negotiations with the County are still difficult and challenging but we're NOT giving
up! The bargaining team is continuing to work hard to get our providers
decent wages over the next 3 years.
At our March 25th “Speak Out” Rally at
the County Administration Building, we had over 200 providers, clients,
families, and community and labor leaders speak out on our behalf at the
rally and at the Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting. Community leaders
and elected officials have also written letters to the BOS. We called
out activists again on April 22nd with the "Dignity
and Respect Rally."
Our efforts to date have not been successful in getting the BOS to Have
a Heart and put a decent offer on the table.
The Board of Supervisors has NO respect for us. Shame on them! They
have sufficient funds to give us livable wages. If you want to be treated
with dignity and respect and believe you deserve a wage increase and
better benefits, the way to make this happen is to show up in numbers
and be heard!
The County needs to hear from you!
Contact the UDWA office
at (800) 244-2778 to get involved.
The time is now. If not now, when!
In Solidarity,
Doug Moore
Dignity
& Respect Rally for San Diego
Home Care Providers
April 22, 2008. 250 Home care providers, clients,
and community leaders rallied
together with UDW staff at the San Diego Board of Supervisors
to protest
the supervisors' lack of response to negotiations for a living wage.
"This
is Federal and State money being turned down that could help
IHSS providers, clients,
and the business community of San Diego."
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Albert Arrington, home care provider, speaks to the assembled
crowd.
To
the left of the speaker UDW San Diego Chapter Chair Editha Adams
translated in Taglog, to the right Ly Nguyen translated in Vietnamese. Sandra
Castlllo was also present to translate in Spanish, and Abdisalam
Farrah for Somali.
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Above; Activists gathered on the West side of the
County building where they listened to speakers.
Right; John Phan, Vietnamese Community Leader talks about
the 19,000 In Home Support Service (IHSS) providers who provide high quality,
vitally-needed services to the elderly, blind, and disabled in San
Diego County. |
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Home care providers, clients, and community activists
also assembled and spoke at the public session of the Board of Supervisors
stating plainly why a living wage is an advantage to the entire community
of San Diego -- not only the providers and clients of IHSS.
Attending and speaking at the rally and the County Board
were:
- Albert Arrington (IHSS Provider
- Angela Gibbons (IHSS Provider)
- John Stevenson ( IHSSProvider)
- Raquel Monrroy (IHSS Client)
- SuzAnne Chatman (IHSS Provider)
- Doug Moore (UDWA Executive Director)
- Doug Oden (Executive Director NAACP)
- Rev. Gerald Brown (UAAMAC)
- Lorena
Gonzales- Labor Council (Sec. Treasurer San Diego and Imperial Counties
Labor)
- Rev. Patricia Andrews- Callori (Interfaith Committee for Worker
Justice)
- San Diego
Vietnamese leader John Phan
Health Care insurance preserved for all San Diego workers due to skilled
negotiating by UDW
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Nearly 200 home care providers rally at the San Diego Board
of Supervisors
to protect their health insurance. Providers not only won good
insurance, but will pay less in monthly premiums
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Doug Moore strategizes with UDW staff to protect healthcare
for home care providers at a lower cost.
UDW
additionally procured a better healthcare insurance provider
with lower cost to workers.
Read the full story on how UDW fought for your healthcare benefits Press
Release
Read current news stories on the resolution of this issue.
North
CountyTimes, San Diego
San
Diego Union Tribune
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Making Our Voices Heard!
At membership meetings home care workers network with each other and with their union. This is a great way for workers to find out about what UDW does to represent us, meet UDW leaders, voice our concerns, and demand accountability from our government representatives. It is also how members break the isolation of working at home, and meet others who can share ideas on how to address some of the issues causing stress that are common to home care workers.
San Diego Members
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San
Diego members empowering their community through neighborhood organizing
and meetings.
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Members at
UDW meeting in Chula Vista sign in workers and activists who come
to learn about
their union and meet others in the
local care giving community.
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Flora Walker, AFSCME Administrator for UDW, addresses
the Statewide Advisory Board in San Diego.
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Negotiations
- March 2008: WE ARE PRESENTLY IN NEGOTIATIONS FOR A NEW CONTRACT. Contact
your San
Diego UDW office to find out how you can support your fellow home care
workers and their clients.
- Oct 31 2006: UDW/AFSCME reached an agreement with the County that
will save threatened health insurance benefits, and even lower the
premiums for workers. Insurance benefits had been set to
expire due to rising costs, and refusal on the part of the county to pay
the higher premiums. Coverage would in fact have been terminated
were it not for the continued efforts and hard work of UDW/AFSCME. Your
union put pressure on the Board of Supervisors to re-negotiate this issue
mid-contract, and also found
a new insurance carrier that is more cost effective.
- Feb. 2005: The contract was ratified (voted in) and SAN
DIEGO WORKERS WAGES ARE UP TO $9/HOUR with health care premiums reduced
to $10 or $19 month.
View the summary of the San
Diego Contract
- Ongoing: Almost 150 members and clients have been attending the
Board of Supervisor meetings filling the
chambers and overflow chambers with green UDW shirts. During the public
comment session, workers have been sharing their stories to encourage
the board to sign a new contract sooner than later. UDW San Diego
staff and bargaining team continue with negotiations and are hopeful
to get a new contract in the near future. According to San Diego-Imperial
Regional Director Richard Barrera, workers' momentum is building and
they are energized and continue to show their commitment by attending
the weekly BOS meetings. San Diego staff and volunteers went door-to-door
in South Bay neighborhoods to meet home care workers and ensure all
workers were registered to vote by the Oct. 18 deadline. Staff and
volunteers are getting to know workers, building the union, and encouraging
members to become more involved with the union.
- November 2004: After a great deal of hard work, the UDW San Diego Bargaining Team reached a tentative agreement for a
three-year contract with San Diego County,
including a wage increase to $9 upon ratification
and an additional raise of $.25 in
2007. Monthly health insurance
premiums will be decreased and dental
benefits will be available approximately
July 2005. When the contract has been ratified (approved by workers and the county) we will post the details on this site. Congratulations to the San Diego County
IHSS workers who continually attended
board meetings and rallies to make this
contract happen, especially the San Diego
Bargaining Team.
Wages and Benefits
- October 2006: New health benefit agreement was reached after rising
costs threatened existing plan see details
- September 2005: After a great deal of hard work, the UDW San Diego Bargaining
Team reached an agreement for a three-year contract with San Diego County,
including a wage increase to $9, and an additional raise of $.25 in 2007.
Monthly health insurance premiums will be decreased and dental benefits will
be available approximately July 2005.
- The first contract UDW negotiated for Independent Providers under the
IHSS program, raised wages to $8.50 per hour (a 26% increase). Medical
benefits were also negotiated in to the new contract, for all those who
work at least 80 hours per month. To learn more about this coverage, see
below: View the summary of our First San Diego
Contract
- Prior to UDW representation, wages were $6.75 per hour, with no medical benefits.
Home Care Provider Registry for San Diego County
Registry Web Page
The In Home Support Services Public Authority has a registry and referral service for home care workers and clients under the IHSS program in San Diego. 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:
County of San Diego IHSS Public Authority
780 Bay Boulevard, Suite 200
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Phone: 1-619-476-6295
Toll Free: 866/351-7722
TTY/TDD: 1-619-476-6306
Email: info@sdihsspa.com
Medical Benefits Package for San Diego County
Medical Benefits Package negotiated by UDW in to the contract, are administered
by the San Diego County IHSS Public Authority (PA). The PA will be contracting
with Kaiser Permenente, at a new reduced premium of $34.59
per month following a re-negotiation of health benefits in October 2006. During
this period UDW/AFSCME procured a new health insurance provder for workers
when coverage was threatened due to rising costs. See
story
For complete plan details, see: PA Website, Health Plan
Or call the IHSS Public Authority Health Benefits Department at: 866-351-7722 for more information
In order for a Home Care worker to be eligible to enroll in the Plan, data
records must show that you have been approved and paid to work 80 hours or
more per month for 3 consecutive months prior to the enrollment period. To
continue to get coverage you must continue to be authorized to work 80 hours
or more per month.
IHSS District Offices for San Diego County
Contacting IHSS:
To make and application to become part of the IHSS program (as either a worker or a client), call the central intake screening unit below. If you are already part of the program and need to talk with someone about your hours, you must call the office that serves your area (see list of offices below) and ask to speak with your social worker. For problems or issues with time cards, call the toll free number below. To find a new client or worker, call the Registry.
If you can not resolve an issue after a good faith effort, call your union representative for help.
IHSS PUBLIC AUTHORITY (PA) - The PA is the "Employer of Record" - the entity established to bargain (for the County) with United Domestic Workers - over wages and benefits. The PA also runs the registry, and sub-contracts healthcare benefits for IHSS home care workers.
Public Authority Website
County of San Diego IHSS Public Authority
780 Bay Boulevard, Suite 200
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Phone: 1-619-476-6295
Toll Free: 866/351-7722
TTY/TDD: 1-619-476-6306
Email: info@sdihsspa.com
PROBLEMS OR ISSUES WITH TIME CARDS
Toll Free: 866/351-7722 - use menu to reach timecard/paycheck division
Also see Payroll and Timecards for IHSS
CENTRAL INTAKE SCREENING UNIT
Toll Free: 866/351-7722 - use menu to reach registry/intake division
IHSS District Office Addresses:
EL CAJON DISTRICT OFFICE- 151 Van Houten Avenue, suite 201 El Cajon , CA 92020
Tel: 619/401-3900
Fax: 619/401-3959
ESCONDIDO DISTRICT OFFICE - 463 North Midway, suite 200 Escondido, CA 92027
Tel: 760/480-3424
Fax: 760/480-3495
OCEANSIDE DISTRICT OFFICE - 1305 Union Plaza Court, suite 200 Oceanside, CA 92054
Tel: 760/754-3515
Fax: 760/754-3423
SAN DIEGO OFFICE, MILLS BUILDING - 1255 Imperial Avenue, room 433 San Diego, CA 92121
Tel: 619/338-2558
Fax: 619/338-2163
SAN DIEGO OFFICE, HAZARD WAY - 9335 Hazard Way, suite 100, San Diego CA 92123
Fax: 858/495-5671
Local (Regional) Meetings
for San Diego 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 Diego 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 Diego
IHSS Advisory Committee
This is not a UDW (union) meeting. The IHSS Advisory Committee is a committee that is appointed by the Board of Supervisors, and includes IHSS home care providers (and clients - when possible). Its purpose is to provide ongoing advice and recommendations regarding IHSS to the Board of Supervisors, The Department of Social Services, and the IHSS Public Authority.
Open to the public. Meets every second Friday of each month.
Contact: County of San Diego IHSS Public Authority
780 Bay Boulevard, Suite 200
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Phone: 1-619-476-6295
Toll Free: 866/351-7722
TTY/TDD: 1-619-476-6306
Email: info@sdihsspa.com
San Diego Board of Supervisors
County Administration Center
1600 Pacific Highway
San Diego, CA 92101
http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/general/bos.html
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 Diego
The San Diego Board of Supervisors regular meeting is held at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday and 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday of each week in the North Chambers (Room 310) or Conference Rooms (Rooms 303 or 335-A), located at the address above. These meetings are open to the public. Speakers during the public sessions must fill out a registration card and limit their comments (two, or three minutes - depending on the county).
You can also call, write, or email your Board of Supervisors to let them know you are aware of their decisions and you are concerned about home care workers.
Write: to address above.
Call or Email: Each Supervisor in the County has his or her own phone number and email address. Sometimes they have their own offices where you may direct your letter. It is therefore best to go to the website, where you can get their individual phone numbers and email addresses as well as determine which supervisor represents your particular district in the County.
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 Director for San Diego
Resources Local to San Diego County
This is truly a Community Resource section, and we are only just getting started. We encourage members and clients to let us know about useful programs or services that might be listed.
Contact: Webmaster
Because we can not research every resource thoroughly, please read the disclaimer below carefully.
By providing the following information, United Domestic Workers of America does not in any way guarantee, approve or endorse the information or services available through these resources, nor does a listing indicate any association with or endorsement by the listed resource, to UDW. We are making this information available so that home care workers and their clients can inform themselves about other programs and services that they may be eligible for, and network on a local level.
Aging & Independence Services Long Term Care Integration Project
The mission of this project is "to develop a comprehensive, consumer-centered,
integrated continuum of care."
http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/cnty/cntydepts/health/ais/ltc/index6.html
San Diego County Network of Care
This is a great site with extensive national and local resources.
http://sandiego.networkofcare.org/aging/home/index.cfm
San Diego Eldercare Directory
http://eldercare.uniontrib.com/index.cfm
This site has good local resources and extensive listings for home care workers and clients needs, including things like senior housing, transportation, health issues, legal, transportation, etc.
San Diego IHSS PA
http://www.sdihsspa.com/news.htm
Southern Caregiver Resource Center
3675 Ruffin Road, Suite 230
San Diego, CA 92123
Phone: 858/268-4432
Toll free: 800/827-1008 (regional)
e-mail: scrc@caregivercenter.org.
http://www.scrc.signonsandiego.com
Support groups and training, upcoming workshops, resources for care providers. Serving Imperial and San Diego Counties
Project CARE
Aging & Independence Services
9335 Hazard Way #100 San Diego
(800) 510-2020
Lutheran Social Services Caring Neighbors:
3101 4th Ave. San Diego
(619) 291-8725
210 Park Ave. Escondido
(760) 737-8640
455 Country Club Lane Oceanside
(760) 967-8255
270 F St. #21 Chula Vista
(619) 476-7055; (619) 476-7074
7210 Lisbon St. San Diego
(619) 263-1384
San Diego - Imperial Counties Labor Council Website: -- The San Diego-Imperial
Counties Labor Council is a central body affiliate of the AFL-CIO and was founded
in 1902. It includes approximately 110 affiliated labor groups within San Diego
and Imperial Counties. Our members are the men and women who comprise 100,000
working families.
www.unionyes.org
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