If ratified, caregivers are expected to earn $20.64 starting in July 2026
Monterey, CA – Today, after months of tireless advocacy, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) providers of SEIU Local 2015—the nation’s largest long-term care union representing more than half a million workers across California—celebrated a major victory reaching a new tentative agreement with the Monterey County Board of Supervisors.
Once ratified by SEIU Local 2015 members and approved by the Board of Supervisors and State, the new contract will give providers an additional wage increase of $1.75 per hour by July 1, 2027. The wage increase will come in three parts: a $1.00 raise projected by end of January 2026 then $0.40 raise on July 1st of 2026, and lastly a $0.35 increase on July 1st of 2027. This new wage increase will change our previous wage supplement of $2.74 to now a total wage supplement of $4.49.
Monterey County 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 next coming years.
“We’re looking at a great contract deal. We’ve been having a hard time for a while,” said SEIU 2015 Monterey provider Kenia Salinas. “Getting to this point in the negotiations gives me a lot of hope. It seems like our Board of Supervisors are finally ready to invest in Monterey’s caregivers. Hopefully, the new contract will mean getting more caregivers into the industry, so we can fix the care crisis Monterey has been in.”
“I’m happy that the Board of Supervisors was willing to negotiate with us in good faith and help us finish the negotiations so quickly,” said SEIU 2015 Monterey provider Adriana Mendoza de Pena. “We still have a long road ahead of us, though. The contract is a good first step. We’re gaining a lot as workers, so I’m excited about that. Providers are feeling more empowered now, and we ended things.”
“Monterey caregivers work day in and day out to provide lifegiving care to seniors and people with disabilities in our community,” said SEIU Executive Vice President Marcus Mc-Rae Alexander. “This tentative agreement is a critical step for care providers to receive the compensation and recognition they need as they continue to provide critical care to those in need. SEIU 2015 members appreciate the collaboration we’ve been able to do with the Monterey County Board of Supervisors; together we’ll continue to make changes to help fix our broken healthcare system and to build the Future of Care that Monterey needs.”
The agreement, which is seen as a key step in creating a pathway to livable wages for caregivers, will lay a foundation for addressing the crisis caregivers have been facing. Internal polling among workers has shown that 60% of IHSS workers in the County have struggled to pay rent, 22% rely on food assistance programs, and 64%reported working multiple jobs.
To learn more about SEIU Local 2015 visit www.SEIU2015.org or on social media @SEIU2015.