In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) home care providers speak out against the county’s insulting offer of ZERO.
LOS ANGELES, CA — SEIU Local 2015, the nation’s largest long-term care union representing over 240,000 In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) caregivers in Los Angeles County, is sounding the alarm after the county responded to contract negotiations last week with a wage proposal of ZERO dollars to improve the lives of the County’s largest low-wage workforce.
In response, SEIU 2015 Executive Vice President Carmen Roberts addressed the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, calling the proposal not only insulting—but a sad statement on the County’s priorities.
“The County’s wage proposal last week of zero dollars is not just insulting—it’s a statement,” said Roberts. “A sad statement that the work we do, the care we give, and the people we serve don’t matter.”
Caregivers across LA County provide essential homecare to low-income aging adults and people with disabilities. Earning just $18.50 an hour, on average these workers earn only $23,000 a year—wages that have left 87% of caregivers needing to work multiple jobs to survive and 64% relying on public assistance like CalFresh and food banks.
“We’ve been working without a contract since the beginning of this year,” said Leilani Reed. “We’ve been caring for others while being forced to live below our means. Some of us are behind on rent and some of us are making difficult choices between buying groceries or paying for gas to drive to the homes of those for whom we provide care. We are LA County’s largest low-wage workforce. The Supervisors have the power to change that. We are calling on them to give us the respect we deserve rather than the insult we’ve been given. It’s time to prioritize IHSS workers.” (Read Leilani’s full story here.)
The union stresses that the issue isn’t affordability. The County pays less than 18 cents on the dollar toward caregiver wages—the remainder is paid by state and federal funds.
“Let’s be clear: this isn’t about affordability. Every dollar in caregiver wages costs the County less than eighteen cents,” Roberts added. “Yet every dollar benefits the County by keeping people out of costly nursing homes and emergency rooms. When you offer us nothing, you’re not saving money—you’re making a choice. A choice to turn your back on caregivers. A choice to turn your back on seniors and people with disabilities.”
LA County IHSS workers are asking to increase their hourly wage to $21.74 over three years – an increase of just $3.24 over the term of the contract of which the county is responsible for a small portion. SEIU 2015 is calling on the Board of Supervisors to reject this offensive proposal of ZERO dollars and return to the bargaining table with a contract that honors caregivers and recognizes the essential role they play in LA County’s care infrastructure.
“We are calling on the Board to lead with its values,” Roberts said. “Take our work seriously. Prioritize our contract. And show this County’s largest low-wage workforce the respect we’ve earned.”SEIU Local 2015 is urging the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to end the pattern of exclusion and underinvestment. It’s time to treat care like the essential infrastructure it is—and to support the workers who make it possible. To learn more about SEIU Local 2015 visit www.SEIU2015.org or on social media @SEIU2015.