Fresno County, CA –Fresno County In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) workers, members of SEIU Local 2015—the nation’s largest long-term care union and California’s largest labor union, representing half a million nursing home workers and home care providers—ratified a new union contract after bargaining with the Fresno County Board of Supervisors.
The current Fresno County IHSS wage—$17.10 an hour—is barely enough for few providers to make ends meet. With the new wage increase, home care workers in Fresno County are looking at a $1.25 increase to IHSS providers’ wages on top of the current $0.60, bringing wages to $18.35 an hour by September 2025. The contract also includes regular access to PPE for Fresno IHSS providers. The new contract also guarantees a $1.25 an hour increase, bringing wages to $18.85 an hour by January 2026, with an overtime rate of $28.28 an hour.
This is a major win for the county as it helps address the care shortage and ensures that those in need receive the quality care they need. Many Fresno IHSS providers are considering leaving the profession due to the low wages and inadequate benefits. Without a livable wage, it has become increasingly difficult to retain existing caregivers and recruit new ones, exacerbating the county’s caregiver shortage.
“We did it! It was a very difficult process, but we did it. After an incredible amount of work by so many of my fellow union members, our Fresno Board of Supervisors finally listened to us regarding our contract. We got the contract we’ve spent years fighting for. I’m really excited about the healthcare and pay raise. Those things are going to go a long way for a lot of us. There’s still so much work to do, but this contract is a big victory, and I’m so proud of us for getting it done!” said Olga Valle, a Fresno IHSS provider and SEIU 2015 member.
“Caregivers are at their best when they’re invested in. This contract is an important step towards investing in the Future of Care that Fresno County needs. This new contract ensures Fresno providers who are healthcare providers will have healthcare coverage of their own and are on the road to getting wages they deserve for all the hard work they put in on a daily basis. This campaign was a hard one, but the end result showed that, when SEIU 2015 fights, we win!,” said Marcus Mc Rae, Executive Vice President of SEIU Local 2015.
“This contract will help us meet the demand for caregivers in Fresno County. As counties throughout California face an increasingly aging population, we must continue to raise the standards of care for both recipients and providers. I am moved by the dedication and solidarity of care providers and allies who worked hard to win this strong contract. Together, we are building a stronger Future of Care,” said Arnulfo De La Cruz, President of SEIU Local 2015. SEIU Local 2015 is committed to securing strong wages, benefits, and training opportunities for in-home care providers, ensuring that these essential workers—and the people they care for—can thrive. To learn more about SEIU Local 2015 visit www.SEIU2015.org or on social media @SEIU2015