Homecare Bargaining Update 8/12/09
Homecare Bargaining Update
On August 7th our homecare bargaining team had our first mediation session. We reached a tentative agreement on six articles! Highlights include:
Paid Time Off: Because of the political work we did at the Capitol and the hard work at the bargaining table, we reached a tentative agreement that holds the line on our 80 hour eligibility requirement AND offers paid time off improvements for live-in providers. Live-providers will have the flexibility to take their time off in 4 to12 hour increments, instead of inflexible 24-hour blocks. This will enable more live-in providers to use paid time off for their personal needs and participate more in union activities.
Greater Ability to Build Political Power: We signed a letter of agreement that will allow us to transition from the outdated cents per hour CAPE contribution system to a flat contribution amount. Members will be able to count on a simple and straightforward CAPE contribution process and we can continue to win on important issues to protect our clients and improve the homecare program.
Orientations for Live-in Providers: The live-in homecare program can be very confusing to navigate. A new tentative agreement will establish orientations for live-in homecare workers to provide critical job information about pay rates and number of hours authorized before live-in providers begin work.
We have three items remaining on the table: health care, wages, and a 401(k) plan. Our bargaining team continues to be the most concerned about maintaining affordable healthcare. The state’s health care proposal remains unchanged from our last session: eligibility was returned to 80 hours per month, but it would mean large out-of-pocket personal contributions for insurance premiums. The state says they don’t have the money to maintain our health care, but their proposal already exceeded the dollar amount allocated for our insurance in the state budget. Our team is committed to finding a creative solution so that we do not disproportionately shoulder the burden of this economy at the expense of our health and our clients’ care.
Take Action:
1) Add your voice to health care reform! We will have more strength to negotiate health care benefits in the future if we have meaningful health care reform on the federal level. Call the SEIU hotline to add your voice for affordable and accessible health care: 1-800-603-SEIU (7348). Also, stay tuned for information about town hall meetings that may be coming to an area near you!
2) Sign up for CAPE at the new flat rate to strengthen our voice for future improvements to the homecare program. See your organizer more details.
3) Continue share bargaining updates with other homecare workers at regional meetings, trainings, phone banks, through phone captain activity.