California Passes In-Home Supportive Services Employer-Employee Relations Act
California took an important step in the empowerment of public sector employees when Governor Jerry Brown signed the In-Home Supportive Services Employer-Employee Relations Act. This Act benefits supportive services employees, who provide care in the homes of elderly and disabled persons. The newly-established state-wide In-Home Supportive Services Authority is authorized to meet and confer in good faith with representatives of recognized unions for supportive services employees regarding wages, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment. As the employer of record for purposes of collective bargaining, the Authority must assume the predecessor agency’s rights and obligations under any memorandum of understanding or agreement between the predecessor agency and the recognized employee organization until it expires.
The Public Employment Relations Board will establish legal procedures for appeals regarding recognition or certification of an employee organization, authorize agency shop agreements and fee obligations, establish mediation and impasse procedures, and authorize the Authority to adopt reasonable rules and regulations relating to determining the status of organizations and associations. Recipients of care retain the right to hire, fire, and supervise individual supportive services employees. Weinberg, Roger and Rosenfeld attorney Vin Harrington is proud to have been part of the team of union lawyers and union leaders who worked closely with the Brown Administration to craft this landmark legislation.
Author: Russell Naymark
