UDW Homecare Providers Union
San Luis Obispo members should contact the SLO-Santa Barbara Office below:

1010 South Broadway, Suite H
Santa Maria, CA 93454
Tel: 805-349-9656 | Fax: 805-349-0722

email inquiries: unionheadquarters@udwa.org

YOUR SAN LUIS OBISPO DISTRICT ELECTED OFFICERS

District Chair: Allene Villa
District Recording Secretary: Darrol Johnson

UDW San Luis Obispo District Chair
Allene Villa

My name is Allene Villa I am a San Luis Obispo native and reside in the Five Cities area in the beautiful town of Oceano.  I became homecare provider after my mother suffered a life threatening injury.  The IHSS program allowed me take care of my mother and not have to endure economic hardship. I am very passionate about this program and the importance of homecare. I know a convalescent home cannot replace the attention and dedication homecare providers give their clients. There is no doubt in my mind my mother would have died in one of these institutions.  If our program ceases to exist, many of our clients will perish in these institutions or be forced to live in deplorable conditions.  This is inhumane and simply not acceptable and the reason why we as a union should fight for our program and the valuable work homecare providers do.

During the past year, I have volunteered in our Grover Beach office and also have worked as a Member Organizer in order to do my part to strengthen UDW and help keep IHSS strong and alive. I have had the pleasure of meeting many of our outstanding providers and this has further inspired me to continue to be fully committed to our union.  I am extremely proud of our union and how it “shines” at all the rallies and political events. After attending one of these rallies, I was “sold” on our union. I came back fueled with pride, passion, and respect for our union. The professionalism and dedication of our staff is also evident and admirable.  UDW is an exemplary union we can all be proud to be part of.

As a chairperson, I hope to continue strengthening our union and in this way help improve working conditions of homecare providers and insure that valuable programs such as IHSS and Addus are kept around for those in need of assistance at home. Only as a strong and united union can we make a difference and make change happen. Every member counts and I will do my best to help strengthen and improve our union.  As an E-board member, I will represent the SLO Chapter and will make sure your needs and concerns are heard. I encourage every member to voice their needs, concerns, and ideas at our membership meetings and also feel free to contact me.  I am very thankful for this opportunity and look forward to serving our membership as the San Luis Obispo Chapter Chair.  I would like to specially thank our Regional Coordinator, Dante Harrison, and our Grover Beach Office Admin., Norma Salinas, for always being so helpful and encouraging me to run for this position.

In Solidarity,
Allene Villa
SLO District Chair

San Luis Obispo Recording Secretary
Darrol Johnson

Darrol Johnson was elected as the Recording Secretary for San Luis Obispo in April 2013.  Congratulations Darrol!

Darrol Johnson s biography will be posted here.

Please check back!

Negotiations History for San Luis Obispo

• 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. Prior to representation San Luis Obispo providers made minimum wage and had no benefits of any kind.
• August 30, 2004: As a result of difficult negotiations 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 was effective from September 1, 2004 to June 30, 2006, and included 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.
• Feb. 17 2005: UDW 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.
• Jan. 1, 2006: A Symetra (Select Benefits Health and Dental plan will be offered to all eligible Independent Providers (IP’s) who qualify.
• Feb. 2006: UDW and San Luis Obispo home care workers put together a 12 member bargaining committee, for negotiations on the second contract.  This hard working team has five representatives from the hispanic community, and the entire committee will begin training together this month.Additionally UDW formed a San Luis Obispo Labor Management Committee
• Sept. 2006: After a great deal of hard work on the part of your bargaining committee, along with UDW/AFSCME staff, our historic 2nd contract was ratified for San Luis Obispo. This contract covers Sept 2006 through June 30 2009 at which time we will begin negotiations for a new contract. 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
• Health insurance increased to 60 cents an 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.

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!

Wages and Benefits Under the Present Contract

• Wages under the present contract are $10.00 per hour
• Medical benefits are also available for all those who work approximately 80 hours per month. To learn more about this coverage, see below: Medical Benefit Information.

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. Co-pay is $15.00 per month. 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.

The Public Authority will purchase protective supplies, which may include exam gloves, disinfectant wipes, masks and hand sanitizer, in an amount not to exceed $4000 per calendar year to be used on behalf of clients. These supplies will be available at the Public Authority Office. If at some point in the future, Medi-Cal/Medicare begins to cover the costs of these items, the parties shall meet to discuss how best to take advantage of these opportunity.

For more information contact:

IHSS Caregiver Registry
PO Box 8119
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8119
Phone: (805) 474-2102
Fax: (805) 474-2012

IHSS District Offices for San Luis Obispo County

Arroyo Grande location:
Dept of Social Services
IHSS District Office
1086 E Grand Avenue
Arroyo Grande CA 93420

Atascadero location:
Dept of Social Services
In Home Support Services
9415 El Camino Real
Atascadero, CA 93422
Phone (central IHSS number): (805) 781-1790
Registry: (805) 474-2102
Fax: (805) 474-2012

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.

Home Care Provider Registry for San Luis Obispo

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:
Phone (central IHSS number): 805/781-1790
Phone: (805) 474-2102
Fax: (805) 474-2012

PROBLEMS OR ISSUES WITH TIME CARDS

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.

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:
Office: (805) 349-9656
Toll Free: (866) 278-1709
Fax: (805) 349‐0722

IHSS Public Authority for San Luis Obispo:
Phone: (805) 474-2102
Fax: (805) 474-2012

San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors

Board of Supervisors Website
San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors
Government Center Board Chambers
1050 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo

After the State sets the level of funding appropriated for IHSS, your County Board of Supervisors are the authorities who set pay levels and benefits in your county. UDW must negotiate with the County Supervisors, through their representatives, for your pay raises 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 at the address above.
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
Write: San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors
Room 370, County Government Center
San Luis Obispo, California  93408