The care providers from Addus HomeCare have just voted 97% to ratify their new union contract!  Addus is the only private homecare agency in Oregon with a union. The progress they made in this contract could have ramifications across the industry. 

Here’s what the new Addus contract includes: 

• All Addus care providers will see an unprecedented 11.5% wage increase over the next ten months.
• All vacation, holiday, and sick time paid at the new, higher personal care rate, and employees now have access to a new sick day.
• Members now have a voice in developing new training opportunities.
• New sexual harassment and sexual assault provisions will be implemented to protect care providers.
• Caregivers will now be able to take up to 3 days of leave when a longtime client dies. 
• New hires will now get a thirty minute orientation with their union.

“These changes are a big step forward,” said Irene Hunt, an employee at Addus. “We won because we organized together to show our strength. We need to keep this momentum going by getting involved in our union.”

Lorna Burnell, the sublocal president for Addus, pointed out that this contract included “the highest wage increase [she] had ever seen” in her 20 years at the agency.  

As more people age into retirement and the demand for long-term care grows, union contracts like the one at Addus will help push the industry toward employing the skilled and stable workforce it needs to provide high quality care to seniors and people with disabilities. 

Long-term care is not just about profits. We all need care at some point in our lives. When care providers and the people we care for push the industry forward, we see better results for everyone.