UDW Homecare Providers Union
Santa Barbara District Office
1010 S. Broadway, Suite H
Santa Maria CA 93454
Toll Free (877) 665-6627 | Office (805) 349-9656 | Fax (805) 349-0722
E-mail inquiries: unionheadquarters@udwa.org

YOUR SANTA BARBARA DISTRICT ELECTED OFFICERS

UDW Santa Barbara District 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 District Chair 

Santa Barbara Negotiations History

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 UDW Homecare Providers Union – known then as 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 latest MOU (contract) by a 98% margin of votes cast.

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!

Santa Barbara Wages and Medical Benefits

(for Independent Providers)

Present wages are $10.00 per hour.   The wage increases in your latest contract represent a 55% increase 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 Benefits Package

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 PA Health Benefits line: 1 866 313-1353

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

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.

Labor Management Committee for Santa Barbara County

In each county, United Domestic Workers (UDW) 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 Santa Barbara County Regional Office for more information.

Santa Barbara IHSS Advisory Committee

The IHSS Advisory Committee (AC) is a committee that is appointed by the Board of Supervisors, and includes IHSS home care providers and clients. 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 Authorities. The intention of the law that mandated IHSS Advisory Committees was that people who use the program have a voice in how it is administrated.

Joining the IHSS Advisory Committed in your county is a great way to get involved in making the program better and meeting other providers and clients in your community.

Meetings are open to the public. Times and dates are usually posted at the County Courthouse prior to the meeting. For more information call:

Santa Barbara County Public Authority for IHSS: (805) 614-1256

Complete details may be found at the Santa Barbara County PA Website

UDW Bargaining Committees

The Santa Barbara Bargaining Committee is a group of volunteer home care providers and clients who work together with union staff to negotiate for better wages and health benefits with the county. The work usually involves several months of consistent meetings with the IHSS Public Authority, County Representatives, and the Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors in Public Session.

When we need to negotiate a new contract we will begin contacting members to put together a bargaining committee for that contract. Contact your local UDW regional office if you would like to be on the next bargaining committee.

Problems or Issues With Time Cards

North County: 805/346-8303
South County: 805/681-4450

Also see Payroll and Timecards for IHSS

Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors

http://www.countyofsb.org/bos/default.aspx?id=404#current

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.

Read more about how your County Supervisors impact IHSS: County Board of Supervisors

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.