Agency Finds County Supervisors' Actions Violated California Law
FRESNO, CA - The Public Employees Relations Board (PERB) is taking Fresno County to task for its attempt to radically cut wages for home care providers in violation of California law.
Fresno County home care providers currently make $10.25 per hour. They have been negotiating a contract with the County for over a year, but rather than continue to negotiate, the County Board of Supervisors voted to implement a "last, best and final" offer that lowers caregivers' hourly rate to $8 and eliminates health benefits for many workers. Additionally, during the negotiations, the County engaged in regressive bargaining - pulling back from proposals previously on the table and backpedaling on wages.
"My family is barely making ends meet as it is on my wages. If the County cuts my wages I won't be able to afford to take care of my client anymore, and he would end up in a nursing home--miserable, and costing the state more," said Fresno home care provider Natasha Garcia.
PERB's complaint charges Fresno County with regressive bargaining and improperly implementing their las,t best and final offer. Additionally, a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued in June by U.S. District Court Judge Claudia Wilken stopped the County from implementing the drastic cuts.
The County claims the cuts will save $5 million. However, the program generates matching funds from the State and Federal governments, and the cuts would ultimately cost the County $33 million.
"Fresno County is hurting for money, I understand. But cutting our program will actually cost the County money. And that isn't even taking into account the impact on the families, seniors and disabled folks like me who rely on these services," said Charles Holloway. "I'm glad the law is on our side and they recognized just how damaging these cuts would be to our communities."
Home care allows seniors and those with disabilities to live independently by helping them bathe, dress, cook and get to and from medical appointments, among other things. Without these services, many of Fresno's seniors and disabled who rely on the program would be forced to move to institutional care that costs taxpayers millions of dollars more than the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program.
Contact: Adriana Surfas, 510-869-2246
SEIU--United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) is the largest hospital and healthcare union in the western United States with more than 150,000 members. We unite every type of healthcare worker with a mission to achieve high-quality healthcare for all. SEIU-UHW is part of the 2.2 million-member Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the nation's fastest-growing union. Learn more at www.seiu-uhw.org.