A First Contract for Home Care Services employees
We Have Won Our First Union Contract!
SEIU Healthcare 775NW caregivers and Home Care Services have approved our first union contract - including raises, great health care and a new Labor-Management Committee.
Some highlights include:
Raises and Guaranteed Starting Wages!
Thanks to the hard work of Montana caregivers during the 2007 Legislative session, Home Care Services workers won at least $0.70/hour raises in the summer of 2007. In addition, our new contract provides for a $0.12/hour increase for all employees as of December 23, 2007.
Starting employees will make the following rates:
Probationary Wage: $9.53/hour
Regular Wage (after 90 days): $9.79/hour
If Pay-In-Lieu of Benefits option is selected, starting employees will instead make $10.42/hour regardless of their probationary status.
New Health, Dental, Prescription Drug & Vision Coverage in 2009!
Health care plans will be provided in January 2009 through the Health Benefits Trust, with Premera Blue Cross as the insurance carrier. The total premium cost is set at $25 per month. Low annual deductible and copays. There is no additional cost for dental and vision care. Workers with 30 or more hours per week qualify for this plan. Caregiver presence at the 2009 Montana Legislature is needed to lower this eligibility threshold.
In-Service Educational Meetings
Home Care Services will hold educational meetings twelve times each year to help caregivers learn more skills to help their clients. This will be a fun way to both help your clients and get to know your fellow caregivers!
Labor-Management Committee
Home Care Services management and caregivers will come together six times per year to discuss and resolve common concerns, especially those involving company policies and procedure. This cooperative effort allows everyone to have a chance to improve the way the company runs.
Paid Bank Time!
Home Care Services workers can access a pool of “bank time” to be paid for various union-related activities. These include lobbying the Montana Legislature and participating in the Labor-Management Committee.
The SEIU Healthcare 775NW bargaining team includes Home Care Services workers Brad Boyer, Elaine Graham, Susan Long and Loretta Morrison.