Santa Barbara County is proudly represented by United Domestic Workers of America (UDW/AFSCME)

Quick Links for Santa Barbara County pages:

UDW in Santa Barbara

Updates for Santa Barbara County

Introduction to your UDW elected E-Board and
Chapter representatives for Kern County

UDW Santa Barbara IHSS Public Authority Chapter Chair
Feel Good

Bio will be added shortly.

UDW Santa Barbara ADDUS
Chapter Chair
Elva Munoz

My name is Elva Munoz. I was born in Morelia Mexico.  I came to the United States in 1980.  I became a proud US citizen in 1985.  I have lived in Lompoc CA since I arrived in the United States.  I have two daughters, three grand children, and I am very happily married.

I have been working for ADDUS for five years. I became involved with the union in 2005. The reason I started getting involved with the union is the same reason I'm still involved. It is because I believe that we the home care workers are un-appreciated and under paid and I know that the only way to make this change is by us – the home care workers – educating those that don't understand the service we provide to the state and county.

WE NEED TO LET THEM KNOW WHAT WE ARE REALLY WORTH!

I am Chapter Chair for Santa Barbara ADDUS Chapter. I have been a VMO (volunteer member organizer) for both ADDUS and IHSS in Santa Barbara County . I look forward to many years of staying involved and getting others in Santa Barbara County involved.

In Solidarity

Elva Munoz
Santa Barbara ADDUS Chapter Chair

Santa Barbara Membership Meeting ADDUS workers fight county proposal to their cut contract and win an extension.

Members are building their union by talking with elected representatives - Santa Barbara workers meet with County Supervisor Centeno above..

"This union is truly converting into a union run by providers." Many members contributed with information about their activities (like the new Labor Management Committee) as well as signing up other members, soliciting information about other issues that concern care givers in Santa Barbara, and handing out refreshments. To get involved, contact the UDW Santa Barbara office toll free:  (877) 665-6627

ADDUS providers, clients and UDW leaders unite for press conference and rally in Santa Barbara --WIN CONTRACT EXTENSION-- May 2006
	Photos by Johanna Hester A gathering of ADDUS home care providers, their clients, family members, and UDW leaders came together Friday at the Santa Barbara County courthouse in protest of a decision by the Department of Social Services to terminate the County's contract with ADDUS.

County Supervisor Salud Carbajal, who attended Friday's protest, spoke about having once worked as a caregiver.  Mr. Carbajal said that he thought the department's action was premature, and spoke about it being "a Safety Net Issue... When you're talking about people's lives, it's never just about saving money."

Negotiations History
(for IP workers - Independent Providers)

• Prior to UDW representation, wages were $6.75 per hour, with no medical benefits.
• Hundreds of homecare workers voted by over 90% to be represented by United Domestic Workers of America.
• After months of hard work, a Bargaining Council of your fellow workers (together with UDW) negotiated a first time ever contract with the Santa Barbara County IHSS Public Authority. This contract included a wage increase to $8.00 per hour and health benefits for workers authorized to work 70 hours or more.
• May 2004: the new contract was ratified (approved) by membership votes.
• June 1, 2004: new one year contract takes effect, which provides increased wages and first time health care benefits for home care workers under the In Home Support Services (IHSS) program.
• December 2005: UDW negotiated an amendment to the above contract that will increase the term of the contract (through June 30 2007), and increased wages to $9.00 per hour on January 1, 2006.  Wages will be increased a second time to $10.00 on July 1, 2006. The contact amendment also allows a "re-opener" for health coverage negotiations during the third year of the Agreement (i.e., July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007). 
• October 27 2007: IHSS Providers in Santa Barbara ratified their new 3-year MOU (contract) by a 98% margin of votes cast.

View Your Contract
Summary of Santa Barbara Contract

Wages and Benefits
(for IP workers - Independent Providers)

• Prior to UDW representation, wages were $6.75 per hour, with no medical benefits.
• Present wages are $10.00 per hour.  Under the new contract as of July 1, 2008 home care workers with the IHSS program will make $10.50 per hour, and on July 1, 2009 wages go to $11.00.  These new wage increases represent a 55% increase in wages since the first union contract in June 2004
• Medical benefits are also available under the new contract, for all those who are authorized to work 70 hours or more for 3 consecutive months. To learn more about this coverage, see below: Medical Benefit Information.

Medical Benefits Package
(for IP workers - Independent Providers)

The medical benefits package is administered by the Santa Barbara IHSS Public Authority.   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 70 hours or more per month for three consecutive months prior to the enrollment period. Workers with paid hours of 70 or more per month will be entitled to participate in the county co-paid, comprehensive health insurance and dental plan. The health insurance includes:

• Hospitalization
• Doctor visits
• Annual physicals
• Prescription drug coverage
• Emergency care
• Dental

Health coverage is managed by the IHSS Public Authority. To get more information on the complete details of coverage, qualification requirements, or an application, call:
Santa Barbara IHSS Public Authority: 805 614-1256

Addus home care providers have a current contract which was effective July 1, 2005 and has been extended to June 7, 2007, by which time we should have a new contract in place.

• Negotiations for the new contract will begin in January 2007.  Contact your local UDW office to help or join our bargaining team.

Contract Summary (non-technical language)
MOU (full 36 page legal document - PDF file.)

PDF files: Depending on your connection, large multi-page PDF's may take a while to load.  After loading, they should open seamlessly in your browser if you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed.  Acrobat Reader is free software download here if you do not have it.

Home Care Provider Registry for Santa Barbara County

The In Home Support Services Public Authority has established a Registry Service for home care providers and clients under the IHSS program in Santa Barbara. 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.

To join the registry, or get more information, contact:

Santa Barbara Public Authority For IHSS
1410 S. Broadway, Suite L
Santa Maria, CA 93454

Phone: 805/614-1256
Fax: 805/614-1239

IHSS District Offices for Santa Barbara County

Contacting IHSS:

To make an application to become part of the IHSS program (as either a worker or a client), if you are part of the program and need to find a new worker or a new client, call the Santa Barbara IHSS Public Authority (In-Home Care Network) below. For problems or issues with time cards, call one of the numbers below.

Santa Barbara IHSS Public Authority (In-Home Care Network)
1410 S. Broadway, Suite L
Santa Maria, CA 93454
Phone: 805/614-1256
Fax: 805/614-1239

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

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PROBLEMS OR ISSUES WITH TIME CARDS
North County: 805/346-8303
South County: 805/681-4450

Also see Payroll and Timecards for IHSS

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IHSS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

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Local (Regional) UDW Meetings
for Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara 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

IHSS Advisory Committee Meetings

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.

Meeting Place:
Royal Scandinavian Inn
400 Ailsal Road
Solvang CA

2006 Meeting Schedule:
Meetings are held quarterly, from 9:30 am - 12:00 pm.
Dates for 2006 are Feb. 2; May 4; August 3; and November 2.

Contact the Santa Barbara Public Authority if you need more details:
Phone: 805/614-1256

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Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors Public Meetings
http://www.countyofsb.org/board/board.asp

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 your UDW Regional Director

The Board of Supervisors meets regularly on Tuesdays, starting at 9 am on the fourth floor of 105 E. Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, and once monthly at the Betteravia Government Center, 511 East Lakeside Parkway, in Santa Maria. A complete meeting schedule may be downloaded at the county Board of Supervisors website.

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 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 to find out which particular supervisor represents your district. Each of the five supervisors (representing the five districts) in Santa Barbara county have their own phone number, e-mail, and some have their own website's, which are also found at the Board of Supervisors link above.

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 Santa Barbara