Ventura County, CA –Ventura County In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) workers, members of SEIU Local 2015—the nation’s largest long-term care union and California’s largest labor union, representing half a million nursing home workers and home care providers—ratified a new union contract after bargaining with the Ventura County Board of Supervisors.

The current Ventura County IHSS wage—$18.25 an hour—is only 65.3% of the living wage for a one-person household in Ventura County. With the new wage contract, home care workers in Ventura County are looking at a wage increase of $20.15 by July, 2025. The contract also includes regular access to PPE, such as gloves, face masks, and disinfectant hand sanitizer for Ventura IHSS providers. A $20,000 re-investment from the county will be going toward caregiving-related training and education!

Many IHSS providers are considering leaving the profession due to the low wages and inadequate benefits that they have to put up with. Without a livable wage, it will be increasingly difficult to retain existing caregivers and recruit new ones, exacerbating the county’s care shortage. This is a major win for the county as it helps address the care shortage and ensures that those in need receive the quality care they deserve. 

“This agreement is more than just a wage increase — it represents a new beginning for us as caregivers, providing the wages and resources we’ve been fighting for. We now have the opportunity to access more training and support, allowing us to grow and become even better at what we do.” said Susie Valencia, a Ventura IHSS provider and SEIU 2015 member. SEIU Local 2015 is committed to securing strong wages, benefits, and training opportunities for in-home care providers, ensuring that these essential workers—and the people they care for—can thrive. To learn more about SEIU Local 2015 visit www.SEIU2015.org or on social media @SEIU2015