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Chapter Chair:
Chapter Secretary Treasurer:
Chapter Vice-Chair:
Chapter Executive Board Member:
Chapter Executive Board Member:
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Roxann Chakos
Terry Foster
Position Open
Cheryl Endres
Marie L. Armstrong |
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 UDW
Stanislaus Chapter Chair
Roxann Chakos
Roxann’s address to AFSCME Convention Aug 08
I have been an IHSS home care provider since 2004, and because of my
hands-on experience I really do understand the many demands and responsibilites
involved in being a home care provider. It is because of my work as a
provider, as well as my community involvement that I became motivated
to also become active with our union. I have been contributing to the
UDW as an activist and member for four years.
I was part of the negotiating team of 2007 that won our present contract,
where I was excited and inspired to work with other members and UDW staff
on this important process. Bargaining with the county also meant that
I attended County Board of Supervisors meetings and as I learned more
about our work I also began attending Labor Council meetings in our county.
There are many pieces that must fit together if we want IHSS to remain
stable and improve with time. Because the IHSS program is funded through
the state and federal government as well as the county, what happens
in Sacramento is very important to our members. It is crucial that we
stay visible and speak out about budget cuts that would reduce our wages
and our client’s safety. I have helped to do this by attending legislative
rallies in Sacramento.
I am a “No Child Left Behind” activist as well, and have always believed
in the power of education and community organizing.
My vision is to teach and empower home care workers about their rights.
To demand respect at many levels; a decent wage is very important because
it is a fundamental recognition that the work we do is extremely important
in our communities. Good medical benefits are also especially significant
in our work – who can take care of our clients if we are sick? It is
often not possible to take days off when someone depends on us for everything.
I want to resolve sky-rocketing medical costs through retaining the benefits
and reducing the waiting list in our county.
I believe we have the power to do all this and more, through working
together. I want to thank you for your support in electing me as your
Chapter Chair, and invite you to contact me with your ideas.
Your Union Member in Arms
Roxann Chakos
Stanislaus County Chair
Stanislaus Chapter Executive Board Member
Cheryl Endres Bianchi
I have been a provider for 24 years and a UDW member for six years. I provide for my daughter, Ashley Enders, and love being her provider. I became a provider because I wanted to take care of my daughter at home. I feel like I can make a difference and that’s why I ran as a Stanislaus Chapter Executive Board Member.
My involvement with UDW consists of going to our State Capital and talking to decision makers about how UDW can make a difference. I inform them that we can be seen and heard as a strong union that will not back down but stand up for what we believe in. I also participate in Phone Banking which allows me to reach out to anyone who has questions or concerns.
Although being a provider does not pay a lot of money I still love doing what I’m doing. I believe that some day we will get the pay that we deserve. I feel as if I’m helping a lot and that the union is making headway. For the homecare providers in my county I would like to see us get the help we need such as pay raises and the continuing support needed for the people we take care of.
I would like to say to the members of UDW “Come out and get involved with us!” Write letters and participate in rallies. It’s very important that people and those in our communities help and stand with us so that we can get want we need.
I want members to know that I am here to help. I am 100% behind them and if I don’t have the answers I will do my best to guide them to someone who can.
We are the people with heart and soul and we can accomplish anything so let’s stand up as one and fight together!
Cheryl Endres Bianchi
Stanislaus Chapter Executive Board Member
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Stanislaus Chapter Executive Board Sworn In
Stanislaus County held Installation Ceremonies for their new Chapter Officers. Members
in Stanislaus county have direct representation at UDW headquarters through
their chapter officers. The Stanislaus chapter chair (Roxann Chakos)
sits at the E-Board along with chairs from each UDW county. Members can
reach Stanislaus chapter officers at the
Stanislaus UDW Office
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UDW Executive Director Doug Moore (left) swears in (left to right) Chapter Executive Board Member- Cheryl Endres-Bianchi; Chapter Executive Board Member – Marie Armstrong; Chapter Vice Chair- Samuel Jordan; Chapter Secretary-Treasurer- Terry Foster; Chapter Chairperson- Roxann Chakos
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- March 2003: Stanislaus County IHSS workers authorized United Domestic Workers to represent them, through a representation election. This means that a majority (over 50%) of the home care workers who voted, said "yes" they want to be represented by UDW in collective bargaining for better wages and health benefits..
- June 2003: UDW and your Stanislaus bargaining team went to work on negotiating the first contract with the county of Stanislaus.
- July 13, 2004: the Board of Supervisors–at UDW’s request–voted unanimously to reject the staff’s recommendation that negotiations between Stanislaus County and UDW be declared at impasse. The county’s Bargaining Team recommended that the Supervisors give us only a 16¢ raise, from $6.95 to $7.11 per hour, with no health insurance or any benefits. We said no – 16¢ is not enough - and we won! The Board of Supervisors ordered County staff to meet with UDW and go back to the bargaining table to work out an agreement on wages and health benefits
- September 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 Stanislaus was won and ratified (approved).
- October 1, 2004: 2 year contract takes effect, which provided increased wages and first time health care benefits for home care workers under the In Home Support Services (IHSS) program.
- September 2006: Current contract was extended until negotiations completed
- August 11, 2007: A 3 year contract was negotiated and ratified
with a 98% approval vote by Stanislaus home care providers. The new
contract includes wage raises beginning at $8.84 per hour and rising to $9.11
in 2008, and $9.38 in 2009. View Summary
of Stanislaus Independent Provider Contract
Wages and Medical Benefits
Wages are $9.38 per hour, effective October 1, 2009 .
The current UDW contract includes health insurance benefits as follows:
Eligibile providers
who work 75 hours or more per month for three consecutive months
will be entitled to participate in a comprehensive health insurance
plan which will include:
The new contract also includes orientation training and security checks for some providers; see details
- Hospitalization Doctor visits Emergency Care
- Prescription drug coverage
Dental Insurance Vision.
 A waiting
list is currently in effect for these benefits.
More information: Stanislaus Public Authority’s website
Stanislaus Public Authority IHSS
305 Downey Avenue
Modesto, Ca 95354
Phone: 209/558-4787
Fax: 209/558-4612
Home Care Provider Registry for Stanislaus County
The In Home Support Services Public Authority is establishing a Registry Service for home care workers and clients under the IHSS program in Stanislaus. 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:
Stanislaus Public Authority For IHSS
Public Authority
305 Downey Avenue
Modesto, Ca 95354
Phone: 209/558-4881
Their website can provide additional information for registry requirements, class schedules and more. www.StanLink2Care.org
IHSS Office for Stanislaus County
Contacting IHSS:
To make and application to become part of the IHSS program (as either a worker or a client), if you are already part of the program and need to talk with someone about your hours, or for problems or issues with time cards, contact Stanislaus IHSS:
Stanislaus IHSS/Adult Services
305 Downey Avenue
Modesto, Ca 95354
Phone: 209/558-4881
Their website can provide additional information for registry requirements,
class schedules and more. www.StanLink2Care.org
PROBLEMS OR ISSUES WITH TIME CARDS
(This number is for Independent Providers, already with the program)
Phone: (209) 558-4787
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.
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.
Meetings are open to the public, and are usually held at:
305 Downey Ave. -
Modesto, CA
Meeting are customarily held the 2nd Friday of every month (holidays
excluded). Call the Advisory Committee secretary for more specific information:
Phone: 209/558 3428
In each county, UDW Homecare Providers Union and the In-Home Supportive Services Public Authorities (IHSS-PA) form a Labor Management Committee. These Labor Management Committees (LMC’s) have been established to provide homecare providers and management alike, an opportunity to work together to discover, discuss, and resolve issues/problems of mutual concern not covered by the Memorandum of Understanding (contract). The LMC will commonly explore and make recommendations about issues mutually identified that have impact on the working relationship between the UDWA, IHSS-PA, IHSS Home Care Providers, and IHSS Consumers.
Joining a Labor Management Committed in your county is a great way to get involved with your union. Contact the Stanislaus County Regional Office for more information.
Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors
http://www.co.stanislaus.ca.us/BOARD/board.htm
Your County Board of Supervisors are the authorities who ultimately decide whether home care workers get pay increases and benefits. As taxpayers and voters, we elect members of the board, and they are therefore accountable to us. When home care workers appear at the Board of Supervisor meetings, we educate the Board about the importance of our work, and let them know that we feel they should represent us with their decisions.
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 Stanislaus
The Stanislaus Board of Supervisors Meets every Tuesday morning at 9:00AM
Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors
1010 10th Street, Suite 6500
Modesto, CA 95354
(Suite 6500 is the Board Chambers, located in the basement)
These meetings are open to the public. Speakers must fill out registration card and limit their comments to three minutes.
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.
Call: 209/525-6333
Write to address above.
Or:
Each Supervisor in the County has his or her own email address, office, and phone number. It is therefore best to go to their website, where you can get all their individual data as well as determining which one represents your particular district in the County.
MAKE SURE YOU ARE ABLE TO VOTE ON ALL CONTRACTS AND IN UNION ELECTIONS: Paying dues does not make you a union member. To be a member you need to have signed a Membership Card. Signing a membership card does not mean you pay any additional money – it does give you membership rights and privileges. Take your power and send in a signed union card!
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