1. What is the name of the Union?
3. How can I get more information on the Union?
4. Why is a union taking money out of IHSS provider paychecks? What does the union do?
6. How do I get more information about why and how much I pay for Union dues?
7. Why does the amount of money taken out my pay check vary from month to month?
8. Why is money taken out of a particular pay period?
9. Why am I being charged more than once for Union dues in a month?
10. If I am paid through Advance Pay, do I still have to pay Union dues?
11. What is the address, phone, email and website address of the Union?
1. What is the name of the Union?
The Union is called SEIU United Healthcare Workers (UHW) – West.
The Union exists to represent IHSS providers and collectively bargain for wages and benefits. The Union also provides education to IHSS providers on an ongoing basis, lobbies the government and advocates for certain issues on behalf of IHSS providers. SEIU UHW West represents IHSS providers in Marin County because the IHSS providers voted to unionize and selected SEIU UHW West as their Union. The Union is responsible for getting many of the current benefits that IHSS providers enjoy in Marin County. Prior to the establishment of the Union, providers made only $7.11 an hour, there were no medical or dental insurance benefits, and no provider training. The Union led the collective bargaining efforts of IHSS providers. Since the Union started representing IHSS providers, IHSS provider pay has increased from $7.11 an hour to $10.50[1] an hour; 265 providers have benefits worth up to $4000 a year; and providers have access to a robust training program which includes 4-6 sessions of class room training each month and video training on an as requested basis.
3. How can I get more information on the Union?
Each month, the Public Authority holds two provider orientations: one in English and the other in Spanish. At these orientations, the Union Representative reviews the benefits of the SEIU UHW – West. If you are not able to attend an orientation, request a Union packet from the Public Authority. Each packet includes information about union fees and benefits. At any time, providers can contact the Union at the numbers, address and website listed in 8 below.4. Why is a union taking money out of IHSS provider paychecks? What does the union do?
All IHSS providers in Marin County are required to pay Union dues. As noted in 2 above, the Union represents all IHSS providers, and collectively bargains for wages and benefits. As per the terms of the contract that was approved by IHSS providers, the Union collects dues from all IHSS providers whether or not they are a member of the Union.Providers who work more than 15 hours each month pay Union dues or a comparable “Service Fee.” Providers can decline to join the Union. However, all Providers must pay Union dues. All Provider benefit from the Union efforts and thus, they are required to support them with dues. Providers who do join the Union receive additional perks, like more training classes. For more information, Providers can contact the Union at [link to website] or 510-869-2231.
IHSS providers are responsible for resolving payroll issues directly with Adult Social Services at the County of Marin. To start the process, call the Payroll Hotline at 415-499-7487.
6. How do I get more information about why and how much I pay for Union dues?
For additional information on Union dues, contact your Union Representative Antonio Abarca 510-869-2231. If you are unable to reach Antonio, you may also call the Union at 510-251-1250 or 800-585-4250.
7. Why does the amount of money taken out my pay check vary from month to month?
Union dues are based on the number of hours a provider works in a month. For instance, a provider who works 135 hours in April, would have the minimum dues of $26 subtracted from his first pay check in May. If in May he worked 145 hours, he would be in a higher dues category and have $27.30 taken out of his first pay check in June. In some cases, providers will also have additional fees deducted for their participation in a union political action group COPE which costs $3 a month. A complete Union dues fee schedule is shown in the Union packet.
8. Why is money taken out of a particular pay period?
Union
dues are collected once each month, usually from the first pay check of the
month. However, when Providers submit a timecard late or don’t work for a
particular pay period, they will have Union dues subtracted from the next pay
check.
9. Why am I being
charged more than once for Union dues in a month?
All Providers who believe that they are being charged multiple times for the same month’s Union dues should contact their Union Representative to resolve the issue.
10. If I am paid through Advance Pay, do I still have to pay Union dues?
All providers even those paid through “Advance Pay” have to pay Union dues.
11. What is the address, phone, email and website address of the Union?
The Union’s address is:
SEIU United Healthcare Workers WestThe Union’s phone numbers are:
Main: 510-251-1250
Toll-Free: 800-585-4250
Fax: 510-763-2680
The Union’s website is www.seiu-uhw.org.
For more detailed Contact information, see the [link to] Union Contact Us.
[1] $10.50 an hour is due to be implemented as of January 1, 2006.