MEDIA ADVISORY
WHEN:
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
9:30 AM: Home care workers and allies rally outside of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. SEIU 2015 home care workers are available for media interviews. Home care workers will provide public comment at the Board of Supervisors meeting.
WHERE:
Monterey County Board of Supervisors
168 W. Alisal St. Salinas CA. (First floor)
WHO:
Monterey County In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) workers (members of SEIU Local 2015); Supporters and allies of the SEIU Local 2015 community
WHAT:
Monterey County In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) home care workers–members of SEIU Local 2015, the nation’s largest long-term care union, and California’s largest labor union representing more than half a million long-term care workers– are rallying and delivering public comments at the Monterey County Board of Supervisors to demand higher livable wages and healthcare benefits, some impacted by the escalation of ICE raids throughout Monterey County.
WHY:
Monterey County IHSS workers are using their voice to demand livable wages and adequate healthcare benefits in their contract negotiations to ensure comprehensive changes to improving the care infrastructure in Monterey County.
A recent poll of in-home care workers in Monterey County underscored the urgent challenges that many of these essential workers face. Some of the distressing findings include:
- Working multiple jobs: 64% of IHSS providers in Monterey County reported working multiple jobs – at least some of the time – just to make ends meet
- Food insecurity: 40% of IHSS providers in Monterey County experience consistent food insecurity, relying on CalFresh and/or food banks at least 22% monthly.
- Transportation insecurity: 85% of IHSS providers in Monterey County who have cars miss regular maintenance on their car because it is too expensive.
- Housing disparity: 60% of IHSS providers in Monterey County have difficulty paying their mortgage or rent each month
- Healthcare disparity: 53% of IHSS providers in Monterey County are sometimes or often unable to access medication because they cannot afford the cost of prescriptions.
- 45% of IHSS providers also reported that sometimes or often are prevented from visiting the doctor due to concerns about cost.
The current wage is $19.24 per hour, while MIT estimates the area living wage to be $34.16 per hour for one adult with no children. A living wage for an adult and one child is $56.79.
Unless these become better jobs, care providers will continue to leave this profession for fast food, warehouse, retail, restaurant and other competitive paying jobs that have started paying substantially more.
On-site Press Contact:
Joel Campos
(831) 556–120
joelc@seiu2015.org
Other Press Contact:
Chris Baiza
christopherb@seiu2015.org