After two years without an agreement, caregivers warn “Grinch-like” delays are harming families and the county’s long-term care system
Lakeport, CA – As Christmas approaches, Lake County’s In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) workers, members of SEIU Local 2015, spoke out against the County’s failure to reach a fair contract after nearly two years of negotiations, saying the delay is worsening financial hardship for caregivers and deepening the county’s care crisis.
More than 2,400 IHSS workers provide essential long-term care (including paramedical, personal care, and household services) to older adults and people with disabilities in Lake. The current Lake County IHSS wage is $17.15 an hour, only $0.65 above California’s minimum wage and far below the MIT living wage threshold of $22.83 an hour for a single individual with no children.
“You’ve made the decision not to prioritize us and pay wages that keep up with the cost of living,” said IHSS provider Vicki Osborne at the December 16th Board of Supervisors meeting, as she presented the Board with a cookie jar depicting the miserly Christmas character, The Grinch.
These essential care workers are not asking for a Christmas miracle – they just want enough to provide for their families. A September survey of Lake providers revealed that most IHSS caregivers experience significant financial hardship: nearly 9 out of 10 providers work multiple jobs, and more than half rely on CalFresh or food banks.
Despite their essential role, Lake County is experiencing a caregiver shortage that will only worsen as the population ages. Last year, more than 385,000 authorized IHSS care hours went unused in the county, nearly 10% of the total and more than double the statewide percentage of unused authorized hours. These unfulfilled hours suggest individuals are not receiving the care they need and qualify for.
Wages and benefits that fail to meet the needs of families are driving IHSS workers out of the caregiving profession. IHSS providers are especially critical in rural areas of Lake County, serving as vital links for the disability and senior community and offering essential care to those who do not have easy, affordable access to medical centers or specialized services.
With many Lake providers required to drive long distances to the homes and doctor’s offices of their recipients, more than 90% of providers said they sometimes or always miss regular car maintenance because it’s too expensive.
IHSS provider Eleanor Hayes told the Board her car had recently broken down and she couldn’t pay for repairs, forcing her to take the bus. “It’s really hard to make what we’re making and be there to support the people that need our help,” Hayes said.
SEIU Local 2015 is committed to advancing policies that improve the lives of long-term care workers and those they care for. The union’s bargaining team encourages the Board of Supervisors to collaborate to address these pressing issues and ensure that Lake’s long-term care system is prepared to support the county’s future.
To learn more about SEIU Local 2015 visit www.SEIU2015.org or on social media @SEIU2015.