WHEN:
Monday, September 11, 2023
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
WHERE:
Fresno Hall of Records
2281 Tulare St, Fresno, CA 93724
WHO:
Fresno County long-term care workers (members of SEIU 2015); Supporters and allies from the SEIU Local 2015 community.
WHAT:
Two-day rally with Fresno 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 nearly 450,000 nursing home workers and home care providers – to demand more livable wages and healthcare – a critical issue which the Fresno County Board of Supervisors urgently needs to address.
WHY:
Long-term care workers in Fresno County currently do not receive adequate benefits or livable wages, and the Fresno BOS is also threatening to take away healthcare for the County’s IHSS providers, and providers need their healthcare. SEIU members shared their stories at the September 5th budget hearing. Many spoke on the issues of juggling over two jobs, barely making ends meet with low wages, and struggling to afford housing.
In fact, a recent poll of in-home care workers in Fresno County underscored the urgent challenges that many of these essential workers face. Some of the distressing findings include:
- More than 80% of IHSS providers in Fresno County reported working multiple jobs – at least some of the time – just to make ends meet. That’s 4 out of every 5 providers in the county.
- More than 40% of IHSS providers in Fresno County experience consistent food insecurity, forced to rely on CalFresh and/or food banks.
- Nearly 55% of IHSS providers in Fresno County have difficulty paying their mortgage or rent each month, with many reporting that they are sometimes or always late with their payments.
- Nearly 60% of IHSS providers surveyed spend at least 50% of their income on housing, and about 20% spend more than 75%.
- More than 55% of IHSS providers in Fresno County are sometimes or often unable to access medication because they cannot afford the cost of prescriptions.
Press Contacts:
DKC News
SEIU@dkcnews.com
Kinye Watson
kinyew@seiu2015.org
(213) 730-8243
On Site Contact:
Ua Her Lugo
ual@seiu2015.org
(559) 363-7165
Vicki Vang
vickiv@seiu2015.org
(559) 388-3190