Santa Cruz County, CA – Santa Cruz In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) workers, represented by SEIU Local 2015—the largest long-term care union in the nation—shared public comments and rallied at the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors office to demand livable wages, healthcare benefits, and fair compensation for their essential work.
Santa Cruz County’s hourly wage for IHSS care providers is the worst wage of all 58 California counties in terms of approaching the actual cost of living for its region. Santa Cruz County IHSS workers currently earn an hourly wage of $18.75, which is only about half of what is needed to meet the basic cost of living in the county, estimated at $36.64 per hour. Add just one child to that household, and IHSS wages are less than 30% of the actual cost of living.
As IHSS workers continue their negotiations with the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, the board has proposed an offer that threatens to eliminate healthcare coverage and only raises wages by a meager $0.85 per hour, bringing the hourly rate to $19.60—still far below the living wage. Many long-term care workers are already leaving the industry due to these poor conditions, and in 2023 alone, more than half a million authorized care hours went unused due to a lack of available caregivers.
A recent SEIU 2015 survey highlights the hardships faced by IHSS workers in Santa Cruz County:
- Nearly 40% of IHSS providers reported being unable to afford medications, and 37.8% are sometimes or often prevented from visiting the doctor due to cost concerns.
- 40% of respondents experience consistent food insecurity, and more than half report having difficulty paying their rent or mortgage each month.
- One in three providers say their home is overcrowded, with 48.2% spending at least half of their income on housing.
- Nearly 75% of IHSS providers reported working multiple jobs—at least some of the time—to make ends meet.
- Over 31% of IHSS providers currently rely on programs like CalFresh and MediCal to survive.
Despite the Santa Cruz Living Wage Ordinance covering various public sector contracts, IHSS workers are excluded, leaving them without key healthcare benefits and furthering their financial struggles. Although county-funded healthcare is available, there is a waitlist, meaning many caregivers still lack access.
The growing demand for care, coupled with the exodus of caregivers, underscores the urgent need for wage increases and improved benefits. Without these changes, more caregivers will be forced to leave the profession for higher-paying jobs in other industries, leaving Santa Cruz County’s most vulnerable residents without the care they deserve.
“Caregivers need compassion to create an environment centered around empathy and compassion. We are the workers in the shadows — the backbone to our community and I want the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors to feel what it’s like to provide care for someone who depends on you,” said Jessica Vasquez, a Santa Cruz County IHSS provider and SEIU 2015 member. Read Jessica’s story here.
“Enough is enough,” said Ernestina. “Caregivers deserve better, and it is our collective responsibility to stand with them and advocate for the changes that will allow us to live and work with dignity and security. Caregivers, like me, deserve better.” Said Ernestina Solorio, a Santa Cruz County IHSS provider and SEIU 2015 member. Read Ernestina’s story here.
SEIU Local 2015 is committed to championing policies that uplift in-home care providers and the people they serve, focusing on securing fair wages, benefits, and access to training and professional development. We call on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors to collaborate with us in tackling these urgent issues and ensuring that everyone who qualifies can receive the care they need and deserve in the comfort of their homes.To learn more about SEIU Local 2015 visit www.SEIU2015.org or on social media @SEIU2015.