Monterey County home care workers–mostly immigrant women and women of color–rallied to address Monterey County’s need for livable wages and healthcare in the wake of escalating ICE raids - SEIU2015

Monterey, CA – Today, Monterey 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–rallied outside of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors and delivered public comments to demand livable wages, healthcare benefits and a strong invest in long-term care, and to make it known that they are among those impacted by the escalation of ICE raids throughout Monterey County.

“We need a contract, and we need it now. Too many of us can’t put food on the table. We’re struggling to pay our bills. It’s worse than living paycheck-to-paycheck, because for so many of us, the pay we get isn’t even enough to cover everything, including essentials. We need livable wages; wages that actually let us live with dignity and respect. We also need healthcare benefits and as healthcare workers, we know that’s a human right. It makes no sense that we can’t get healthcare,” said Monterey IHSS provider Vanessa Benegas. “We just need a better, stronger and more improved contract–that’s how we’ll get that done. I’m really hoping the Supervisors take our words into account.”

“Monterey County has had a caregiver shortage for years now. Seniors and people with disabilities urgently need this to change and we need the Monterey County Board of Supervisors to help us make that change. They can do that by approving a contract with living wages for IHSS providers,” said SEIU 2015 Executive Vice President Marcus Mc Rae. “Let’s join hand-in-hand to reach an agreement to invest in Monterey’s Future of Care.”

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.

SEIU Local 2015 is committed to advocating for policies that support in-home care providers and those they care for, including livable wages and benefits, as well as access to training and professional development opportunities. We urge the Monterey County Board of Supervisors to work with us to address these pressing issues and ensure that all who qualify have access to the care they need and deserve in the comfort of their own homes.To learn more about SEIU Local 2015 visit www.SEIU2015.org or on social media @SEIU2015.