REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY IN - HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES - PUBLIC AUTHORITY

BOARD MEETING DATE:  August  22, 2017
CATEGORY:  Public Authority Governing Board Item - Regular-1.

SUBJECT:

Resolution Approving a Comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding Between the Shasta County In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority and the Service Employees International Union Local 2015

Supervisorial District No. :  All

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Tracy Tedder, Director HHSA Business and Support Services (530) 229-8425

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Tracy Tedder, Director HHSA Business and Support Services

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt a resolution which approves a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding with the Service Employees International Union Local 2015 effective date of signing through December 31, 2021.

SUMMARY

N/A

DISCUSSION

The previous agreement between the In-Home Supportive Services-Public Authority (IHSS-PA) and the individual providers’ union, Service Employees International Union Local 2015 (SEIU) California United Homecare Workers Union AFSCME Local 4034 (CUHW), ended on September 30, 2014.  In October 2015, SEIU was recognized by the State of California Public Employee Relations Board (PERB) as the successor employee organization and exclusive representative of the individual In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) providers in Shasta County.  Negotiations with SEIU have been ongoing since that time. 

After efforts from both SEIU and the IHSS-PA, a proposal was brought to and ratified by the members of SEIU on August 14, 2017.  The Governing Board is now being asked to formally approve the MOU which specifies wages, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment for IHSS providers for a term through December 31, 2021.

The most significant aspects of the successor MOU is the following stipulations: 1) Effective as soon as practicable following approval by the state, the IHSS-PA will supplement the base wage by fifty cents ($.50) per hour; 2) Effective October 1, 2018 or as soon as practicable thereafter following approval by the state, the IHSS-PA will supplement the base wage by an additional ten cents ($.10) for a total of sixty cents ($.60) per hour. 3) The IHSS-PA recognizes SEIU as the exclusive representative of the IHSS individual providers; 4) Information related to SEIU union membership and dues will be distributed at the IHSS orientation to any providers hired and returned to SEIU when signed. 5) SEIU shall instruct the state on payroll deductions for union dues and premiums for approved voluntary insurance programs offered by SEIU in conformity with State regulation, with protections in place for the providers in the case of insufficient earnings.  In addition, there were clerical and other minor changes made to this successor MOU.

ALTERNATIVES

The Governing Board could choose not to approve the agreement.  This is not recommended since the proposed MOU is the product of a good faith bargaining process in which both SEIU and the IHSS-PA have reached an agreement.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

The County Administrative Office has reviewed the recommendation and has the concurrence of the County Executive Officer (CEO).  Gage Dungy, Partner of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, served as the IHSS-PA’s Chief Labor Negotiator during the process.

FINANCING

The IHSS program is funded by a combination of state and federal funds with the local share of cost coming from 1991 Social Services realignment and County General Fund.  This recommendation equates to an approximate county share of cost of $361,000 in FY 2017-18, with a 5% increase in county share of cost in FY 2018-19 and 7% increases beginning in FY 2019-20 and each fiscal year thereafter.  The HHSA’s FY 2017-18 adopted budget includes sufficient appropriation authority for the activities described in this agreement. Future year appropriation authority will be included in future year budget requests. No additional County General Funds are requested.