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New Alameda County IHSS Contract Sends Clear Message To Elected Leaders That Homecare Program Must Remain a Priority

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Oakland, CA (December 17, 2009) – Today, SEIU ULTCW (United Long Term Care Workers’ Union) announced that Alameda County In-Home Supportive Service (IHSS) providers overwhelmingly voted last evening in favor of its new contract with the County that adds multiple layers of protection to the current homecare provider wage and benefit levels, as well as granting additional contract improvements.

"As several Counties are joining the Governor's desire to slash homecare provider wages to as low as minimum wage, Alameda County is sending a clear message to state legislators and other county supervisors that we must all maintain our commitment to our seniors, people with disabilities and those who care for them," said Brenda Jackson, SEIU ULTCW Bargaining Team member.

"The homecare program provides a vital lifeline service to thousands of low-income seniors and people with disabilities," said Alice Lai-Bitker, President of the Alameda Board of Supervisors. "Even in the most difficult of financial times, the homecare program must remain a county and state priority."

The new contract continues an hourly wage of $11.50 and ensures that the County's contribution toward caregiver wages and benefits is maintained if for any reason the Courts rule that the State can cut its contribution to minimum wage. If that were to occur, Alameda County homecare wages would not drop any lower than $10.20 an hour. In addition, the new contract assists workers in keeping their health benefits for five months if State cuts place them below the eligibility threshold.

"The need for the homecare program does not change based on the state's budget. In fact, the need will only continue to grow as our population ages," said Laphonza Butler, Trustee of SEIU ULTCW. "This contract helps ensure that these services continue and that caregivers are able to feed their families while continuing to do this valuable work."

"Alameda County is dedicated to ensuring that homecare services are not interrupted due to the state's fiscal crisis," said Alameda County Supervisor and Board Vice President Nate Miley. "After all, the homecare program not only provides a vital service to low-income seniors and people with disabilities, it does so while saving taxpayers millions of dollars a year. Why would we ever cut such a program?"

The IHSS program (more commonly known as 'homecare') serves approximately 17,000 low-income Alameda County seniors and people with disabilities at a fraction of the cost of institutional care. Caregivers assist IHSS recipients with their most basic daily tasks such as bathing and hygiene, meal preparation to prevent malnutrition, domestic chores that help prevent falls, and ensuring that they get to doctors visits on time and remember to take medication.

The new contract takes effect immediately and expires in September of 2013.

Days Before Major Changes to State’s IHSS Program to Take Effect, Schwarzenegger Administration Unable to Follow its Own Order

Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Administration missteps cause confusion for workers and Californians who rely on home care services
Read More

HOME CARE PROTECTED: SENIORS, ADVOCATES AND PROVIDERS WIN PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION TO STOP HOME CARE CUTS TO 130,000 CALIFORNIANS

Monday, October 19, 2009
Read More

2009 Press Releases


TitleDate

New Alameda County IHSS Contract Sends Clear Message To Elected Leaders That Homecare Program Must Remain a Priority
Oakland, CA (December 17, 2009) – Today, SEIU ULTCW (United Long Term Care Workers' Union) announced that Alameda County In-Home Supportive Service (IHSS) providers overwhelmingly voted last evening in favor of its new contract with the County.

Read More »

12/17/2009

Days Before Major Changes to State’s IHSS Program to Take Effect, Schwarzenegger Administration Unable to Follow its Own Order

Read More »

10/28/2009

SENIORS, DISABILITY RIGHTS ADVOCATES AND HOME CARE PROVIDERS SEEK PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION TO STOP HOME CARE CUTS TO 130,000 CALIF

Read More »

10/19/2009

HOME CARE PROTECTED: SENIORS, ADVOCATES AND PROVIDERS WIN PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION TO STOP HOME CARE CUTS TO 130,000 CALIFORNIANS

Read More »

10/19/2009

SEIU and Other Disability Advocates Win Temporary Restraining Order Against the State

Read More »

10/14/2009

Federal Lawsuit Filed To Stop Cuts in Homecare To 130,000 Californians

Read More »

10/1/2009

LA County Announces: Nearly 40,000 Seniors and Disabled to Lose Home Care Service Hours Due to State Budget Cuts

Read More »

9/21/2009

Disability Advocates Call-Out Governor Schwarzenegger For Honoring Mother-In-Law While Cutting Vital Services

Read More »

9/18/2009

FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERS SCHWARZENEGGER ADMINISTRATION TO COMPLY WITH ORDER THAT BLOCKS STATE REDUCTION FOR IHSS WORKER WAGES
OAKLAND (July 14, 2009) - In a ruling issued late yesterday afternoon, Judge Wilken of the U.S. District Court ordered California to comply with her June 25, 2009, ruling which halts the State’s plans to cut In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) wages.

Read More »

7/14/2009

THOUSANDS GATHER IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES TO PROTEST DRASTIC CUTS TO STATE’S HOMECARE PROGRAM
LOS ANGELES, CA (May 22, 2009) - More than 5,000 homecare providers, care recipients, disability and senior advocates joined other concerned Californians today in a rally in front of the California State building in Downtown Los Angeles to speak out agai

Read More »

5/22/2009