Monterey County, CA –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—ratified a new union contract after bargaining with the Monterey County Board of Supervisors.
The current Monterey County IHSS wage is $19.24 an hour. With the new contract, home care workers in Monterey County are looking at a wage increase of $20.64 by January 1, 2026 due to the state minimum wage increase ($.40) and union contract increase ($1.00), $21.04 by July, 2026 and $21.39 by July, 2027. This new wage increase will change our previous wage supplement of $2.74 to now a total wage supplement of $4.49 above minimum wage. Monterey County also added an additional $0.14 to the health trust fund, bringing the employer’s contribution to $.80 into the health fund. This will not only open more spaces for future enrollees but also address the potential insurance premium increase in the coming years.
Many IHSS providers are considering leaving the profession due to the low wages and inadequate benefits that they have to put up with. Without a livable wage, it will be increasingly difficult to retain existing caregivers and recruit new ones, exacerbating the county’s care shortage. 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 deserve.
“We spent so much time fighting to get this contract, and we’ve finally crossed the finish line! Personally, I feel really good about our new contract. Not only does it increase our wages over the next couple of years, but it also adds money to our health fund. Monterey County can be a pretty expensive place to live, and I think this contract puts us on a good path to getting the livable wages that we need. It’s starting to feel like Monterey is ready to fully invest in the Future of Care, and our contract shows this.” said SEIU 2015 Monterey provider Sonia Lopez.
“Monterey caregivers worked extremely hard for this, and I think the results can be seen in what they won through their new contract. Our work in Monterey is far from over, but right now it feels great to celebrate what our caregivers achieved. With more money in their paychecks and more investment in their health fund, our Monterey providers are one step closer to having what they need to build out their county’s Future of Care. Things are looking up for our Monterey providers, and I couldn’t be prouder of all the hard work they put in to make this new contract a reality.” said SEIU Executive Vice President Marcus Mc-Rae Alexander.
“This contract will help us meet the demand for caregivers in Monterey 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