Meet the San Bernardino In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) care workers who are bargaining for our next union contract! Through this process, we have the opportunity to:
- Increase wages & benefits
- Secure funding for training & equipment we need to do our job
- Protect our union rights and
- Improve our lives and those we care for
Meet the San Bernardino IHSS workers who will represent you at the bargaining table!
Saira Torres has been an IHSS provider for 26 years.
“I joined the bargaining team to help get my union siblings better wages and healthcare. We dedicate our well-being to care for others; now, it’s time for us to get a contract that reflects our worth.”
Rosa Segura has been an IHSS provider for 2 years.
“I joined the bargaining committee to make sure that the work caregivers do is valued by the County, so we can get the dignity our work deserves. Taking care of clients’ is my only source of income. It is time for the County to treat care work as a real job.”
Henrene Barris has been an IHSS provider for 16 years.
“I joined the bargaining committee to be a voice for caregivers across San Bernardino County. I became a union member right out of college and I am a big believer in standing together to fight for a better Future of Care. This work is possible because of our union. Together, we can improve the lives of care providers all over the state.”
Lesia Louro has been an IHSS provider for 37 years.
“I joined the bargaining committee to train future member leaders and pass along the knowledge I’ve gained. I’ve been on contract campaigns many times before and I love helping to support new bargaining members.”
Donald Bolda has been an IHSS provider for 6 years.
“I joined the bargaining team to stay informed, learn, and help my fellow members. I became a caregiver after seeing a friend struggle to find someone she could trust. Caregivers provide quality care and we deserve to be compensated fairly for the difference we make!”
Carrie Williams has been an IHSS provider for 11 years.
“I joined the bargaining team because providers need a strong voice in fighting for the things we need to do our work. We need meaningful wage increases because tax deductions and cost of living have us struggling to put food on the table.”
Mariangela Marquez has been an IHSS provider for 4 years.
“I joined the bargaining committee to secure healthcare benefits that will cover more care providers. At one point, I was working as a care provider, but without insurance, so I know how important coverage is. Caregivers need care too.”
Kim Ballon has been an IHSS provider for 12 years.
“I joined the bargaining team to be a voice for care providers who need healthcare. Before joining IHSS in 2014, I was struggling to get the care I needed. IHSS saved my life by allowing me to have healthcare through the program with no waitlist. Now, I’m fighting to ensure other providers have the support and dignity to care for themselves and others.”
Wendy Whitaker has been an IHSS provider for 20 years.
“I joined the bargaining team to fight for better wages and benefits because too many caregivers are struggling to make ends meet. How can we encourage young people to join this field when other jobs pay more than caring for our communities?”
Faith Gamble has been an IHSS provider for 2 years.
“I joined the bargaining committee to represent the 47,000 care workers in San Bernardino County. I feel a responsibility to ensure the voices of care providers are heard at the bargaining table.”
Eufracia De la Paz has been an IHSS provider for 19 years.
“I joined the bargaining team to ask for PPE. During the Pandemic, too many caregivers had to go without the equipment necessary to do their jobs safely. Even now, with the Pandemic over, too many caregivers rely on access to quality PPE.”
Enrique Camacho has been an IHSS provider for 20 years.
“I joined the bargaining team to negotiate the best possible contract for our providers. Being part of the bargaining team means getting to improve the lives of providers in San Bernardino County.”
Berlina Phommalayvane has been an IHSS provider for 16 years.
“I joined the bargaining team to be a voice for other IHSS providers and improve our quality of life. We’re fighting to win better wages, healthcare, and benefits. Having all of that will allow us to continue delivering quality care to our consumers.”
Sheri Perez has been an IHSS provider for 30 years.
“I joined the bargaining committee to represent our caregivers and help negotiate the best possible contract. Being part of the team means fighting for better wages, stronger benefits, and the protection we need to do our work with dignity.”
Cindy Chim has been an IHSS provider for 23 years.
“I joined the bargaining team to represent the voices of IHSS providers throughout San Bernardino County. Together, we are fighting to win higher wages, and secure stronger benefits, including affordable healthcare. This work is about ensuring dignity and respect for providers while preserving the quality care our consumers depend on every day.”
Your bargaining committee is committed to doing all we can to secure the strongest contract possible–but we can’t do it without the solidarity of our San Bernardino and SEIU 2015 community. With the collective power of more than 47,000 IHSS care providers across San Bernardino, we will build toward a just and equitable Future of Care.