Marin County home care providers are calling on the Board of Supervisors to pay them a livable wage in negotiations for a new union contract. They have been raising their voices at the bargaining table and during public meetings. Read our press release on the April 2nd meeting here.
Care workers are the backbone of our community, providing essential services to older adults and people with disabilities, but low wages and a lack of benefits has contributed to a shortage of caregivers.
The statistics speak volumes: In Marin County in 2023, nearly 10% of all authorized care hours went unused, revealing a critical shortage of caregivers. Addressing this shortage is urgent – the population of adults 60 and older in the area is expected to increase by 56% from 2010 to 2060. Marin won’t be able to keep up with the growing demand for care unless it can attract and retain long-term care workers.
Listen to members share their stories with the Board of Supervisors:
Meet the Marin County Bargaining Team:
“We can make our Board of Supervisors aware of what goes into providing care. Nobody knows until you are in it. Care providers are the only ones who can tell you exactly what’s involved. If we don’t speak up, then who will?”
– Sunita Singh has been a caretaker for over 25 years and an IHSS provider since 2022
“The struggle to get respect and true living wages for caregivers has been a long one. Because care work has historically been done by women – and often by immigrants and women of color – it was originally written out of labor laws. But SEIU has led the way in changing that! So please join us in reminding the Marin Board of Supervisors how vital our work is – and how hard it is to do it for poverty wages and almost no benefits!”
– Connie Barker has had IHSS clients in Marin for nearly 30 years
“It truly saddens me that if the money is available, that it’s not being put towards the people that are caring for mothers and grandmothers and grandfathers. That just really upsets me that our elders get treated less than – because if the County is neglecting care by not paying the people that take care of them, then that means they’re going to be without care.”
– Melinda Mccall has been a caretaker on and off for 10 years
“It is important that the Board of Supervisors see the value of the work providers do and its importance to the county. Providers need to make a living wage especially in a County as expensive as Marin. We are here, but it appears that you can’t see us. Providers need to be seen.”
– Nancy Holliday-Chorreau has been a caregiver for 20 years including 5 years with IHSS
Watch our bargaining updates throughout the campaign:
Share your story:
Are you an IHSS provider in Marin County? We want to hear your story about what higher wages would mean to you. Your voice matters and when Marin County IHSS providers collectively raise our voices, we can raise the standards for all IHSS providers.
Check back here for future updates.