Santa Cruz County, CA – In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) workers in Santa Cruz and members of SEIU Local 2015—the largest long-term care union in the nation—rallied on the steps of the Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors (BOS) headquarters today. Members then moved inside and spoke up again about the need for livable wages, which the Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors continues to fight them on.
The hourly wage for IHSS care providers in Santa Cruz County is the lowest among all 58 California counties when compared to the region’s actual cost of living. Currently, IHSS workers in the county earn $18.75 per hour, which is only about half of the estimated $36.64 per hour needed to cover basic living expenses. When factoring in the cost of raising a child, the situation becomes even more dire, with IHSS wages covering less than 30% of the living wage.
As IHSS workers continue negotiating with the Santa Cruz County BOS, the board’s latest proposal includes an inadequate wage increase of just $0.85 per hour, raising the wage to $19.60—still far below what is necessary. This offer comes as the care industry faces a critical workforce shortage. In 2023 alone, over half a million authorized care hours sat unused, indicating a shortage of providers.
With the lowest wage in the state, it’s no wonder that an SEIU 2015 survey revealed:
- 40% experience regular food insecurity, while more than half struggle to pay their rent or mortgage.
- Nearly 40% report being unable to afford medications, and 37.8% often or sometimes avoid visiting a doctor due to cost.
- One in three workers lives in overcrowded housing, with 48.2% spending at least half of their income on housing.
- Nearly 75% of workers report needing to take on multiple jobs, at least part of the time, just to get by.
- Over 31% currently rely on assistance programs like CalFresh and MediCal for survival.
Despite the Santa Cruz Living Wage Ordinance, which covers public sector contracts, IHSS workers are excluded from its provisions. This exclusion leaves them without crucial healthcare benefits and a living wage, while county-funded healthcare remains inaccessible to many due to long waitlists.
“It seems so cruel to me that caregivers have to sit and beg for essential human needs like healthcare and wages,” said Jessica Vasquez, a Santa Cruz County IHSS provider and SEIU 2015 member. “I wonder if the Board of Supervisors know what it’s like to feel insecure with the lack of housing, healthcare, food and financial independence. There are so many people in Santa Cruz County who need care, and the demand for home care is exploding across the state. If caregivers don’t do the work, what’s the other option? Bottom line: we need better wages, better healthcare, and real respect for what we do.” Read Jessica’s story here.
The rising demand for care services, coupled with the ongoing departure of caregivers from the industry, highlights the urgent need for wage increases and improved benefits. Without significant changes, more caregivers will leave for better-paying jobs in other fields, leaving Santa Cruz County’s senior and disabled communities without the essential care they need.
“It’s overwhelming. Right now, life is a balancing act of caring for my children, managing my son’s medical appointments, and working multiple jobs. My son, who needs constant supervision, has inadvertently endangered our home by turning on the stove while I was at work, and I worry all the time. The fear of incidents and the constant financial pressure take a heavy toll on my mental health. However, I remain hopeful for the future for the improvements to our Santa Cruz IHSS contract,” said Ernestina Solorio, a Santa Cruz County IHSS provider and SEIU 2015 member. Read Ernestina’s story here.
SEIU Local 2015 remains committed to advocating for policies that enhance the lives of in-home care providers, demanding fair pay, benefits, and opportunities for training and career development. These workers constantly urge the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors to address these pressing challenges, ensuring that all workers receive the compensation and benefits they deserve.
To learn more about SEIU Local 2015 visit www.SEIU2015.org or on social media @SEIU2015.