**MEDIA ADVISORY**
WHEN:
Tuesday, September 10th, 2024
7:30 AM PT – 11:00 AM PT
WHERE:
Ventura Board of Supervisors
800 S Victoria Ave #1920
Ventura, CA 93009
WHO:
Long-term care workers (members of SEIU 2015); Supporters and allies of
the SEIU Local 2015 community.
WHAT:
Ventura County IHSS workers and members of SEIU Local 2015—the nation’s largest long-term care union, and California’s largest labor union representing more than 470,000 nursing home workers and home care providers—is calling on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors for fair, livable wages and healthcare benefits for IHSS care providers.
This event precedes SEIU Local 2015’s “Vote for the Future of Care” event on September 11th as part of the union’s statewide day of action to mobilize voters—including in key swing states—to support candidates who will invest in strengthening the care economy, improve care jobs and support care workers’ access to labor unions. With the November election around the corner, this Get Out The Vote campaign aims to elect care champions up and down the ballot. The union is proud to endorse Kamala Harris for President and the full list of endorsed candidates can be found on SEIU Local 2015’s Ballot Recommendations.
WHY:
Ventura County IHSS providers are currently negotiating a contract that includes livable wages, which is crucial for recognizing the vital work they do and improving their financial security. At present, the Ventura County IHSS wage of $18.25 an hour is only 65.3% of the living wage for a single-person household in the county, and a mere 37.44% for a household with one child. A wage increase is essential to help caregivers, primarily women of color, support themselves and their families without severe financial stress.
IHSS care providers, who are predominantly women of color, perform physically and emotionally demanding work yet receive sub-livable wages. The current Ventura County IHSS wage falls significantly short of the living wage needed to support themselves and their families. Increased wages and benefits are essential for retaining current caregivers and attracting new workers, ensuring a stable and high-quality care system for Ventura County’s aging population.
These demands highlight the importance of electing leaders who understand the significance of quality care and the rights of caregivers. The November election will have a direct impact on the future of care, labor, and democracy. SEIU 2015 is ready to elect care champions who will work with us to ensure that long-term care jobs are stable, dependable jobs with fair wages, adequate training, and comprehensive benefits—candidates like Harris who have long supported caregivers (see one minute mark).
Press Contacts:
DKC News
SEIU@dkcnews.com
On Site Contacts:
darwing@seiu2015.org