If you are paid through ARIS but have not received a pay check or have had a recent pay cut, please notify the Union at 802-855-2853. You must do so promptly as the Union only has 15 State business days from the day you first realized you didn’t receive a check or found your pay cut to file a grievance. The office is open between the hours of 7 AM and 3 PM.

Some providers are experiencing changes because of an overtime rule. This rule is NOT a result of the Union. The U.S. Department of Labor made changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The FLSA is the federal law that gives most workers in the United States minimum wage and overtime pay protections. The U.S. Department of Labor enforces the FLSA, and recently updated the FLSA rules about home care workers. Under the new rules, most home care workers must now be paid at least the federal minimum wage, and overtime pay. The U.S. Department of Labor calls this change the “Home Care Final Rule.”

To determine whether you should be paid overtime, visit: https://www.dol.gov/whd/homecare/checklist.htm.

There is also a guide to help inform you and your employers available for download and printing here: https://www.dol.gov/whd/homecare/homecare_guide.pdf

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Union office at 802-855-2853.

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Every day, AFSCME home health care members provide vital services in their homes.  For our members, these homes are their workplaces –each with unique challenges.

Safe Patient Handling – Offered daily, 5/23 – 5/27, at 9:00 AM at the locations below.

The patient-handling training is specific to the needs of home health aides. Students will learn proper body mechanics so they do not injure themselves when handling, transferring and re-positioning patients. They will also learn how to use gait belts, slide sheets, mechanical lifts and transfer boards to assist in such common transfers as wheelchair to toilet, bed to wheelchair, bed linen changings and other day-to-day activities.

Workplace Violence Prevention – Offered 2:00 PM Monday – Thursday, 5/23 – 5/26, at the locations listed below.

In this class, students will learn to adopt workplace violence prevention strategies used in facilities to the home health setting. The training will have three core parts, including identifying hazards in the home, developing crisis intervention skills and post-violence event response. Students will be involved in group activities, role-plays and a unique mapping exercise.

*Please note: The Working with Chemicals and the Bloodborne Pathogens & Infectious Diseases classes have been cancelled.

CLASSES & LOCATIONS

Lyndonville

Brattleboro

Rutland

Winooski

Classes are offered 9 am – 1 pm and 2pm – 6pm

To register, call 802-855-2853, email wthacker@afscme93.org or visit AFSCME.org/vt-safety-class