Santa Clara County home care workers rally, urging Supervisors to address the care crisis by raising wages 

Press Contact:
Saumya Monga, saumyam@seiu2015.org(510) 407-6619
May 6, 2025

New survey reveals impact of low wages among county IHSS workforce amid provider shortage

Santa Clara County, CA – Today, nearly 150 In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) workers, members of SEIU Local 2015—the nation’s largest long-term care union representing more than half a million workers across California—rallied at the Board of Supervisors meeting and urged them to invest in long-term care. Santa Clara IHSS workers are currently negotiating a new contract with county officials.

In Santa Clara County, more than 36,000 IHSS workers provide essential long-term care (including paramedical, personal care, and household services) to older adults and people with disabilities. The IHSS program ensures people who need long-term care can receive it in the setting of their choice, supporting their ability to remain in their homes in the Santa Clara community, instead of an institutional setting.

But low wages and inadequate benefits are driving IHSS workers out of the caregiving profession. More than 3.3 million authorized care hours went unused last year in Santa Clara County, pointing to a shortage of providers for seniors and disabled individuals in need..

“People never know when they’re going to need the IHSS program,” said Cefarina Fernandez, a Santa Clara County IHSS worker. “Eventually, we will all get older and need care. I hope this job will finally provide the kind of pay needed to attract new, younger people to this work.” 

“When caregivers aren’t paid enough, they leave the workforce, and when family members step in for them, they leave their careers,” said Darren McGee, a Santa Clara County IHSS worker. “This doesn’t just impact our families, but it also hurts the local economy. If you want to keep your constituents here, contributing to and growing the local economy, then you have to pay us more.”

Recent polling reveals low wages for Santa Clara home care workers prevent them from paying for housing, feeding their families and accessing medical care:

  • 78% of Santa Clara’s IHSS workers work multiple jobs—at least some of the time—just to make ends meet.
  • Nearly 62% of Santa Clara’s IHSS workers have difficulty paying their rent or mortgage each month, reporting that they are sometimes or always late with their payments.
  • 52% of Santa Clara’s IHSS workers experience consistent food insecurity, relying on CalFresh and/or food banks at least monthly. 
  • 44% of Santa Clara’s IHSS workers are sometimes or often unable to access medication—and 46% are sometimes or often prevented from visiting the doctor—due to concerns about cost.

“Care workers are essential to our communities, but their pay doesn’t reflect the valuable work they do,” said SEIU Local 2015 President Arnulfo De La Cruz. “As the need for care continues to rise, Santa Clara County must invest in IHSS providers who work hard to keep our communities safe.” 

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 Santa Clara’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.