Inyo County home care providers–mostly women of color–continue negotiations for a new contract around healthcare and wages.

Press Contact:
Terry Carter, 213 uies
March 11, 2025
Posted in Press Release
Tagged in , ,

Inyo County, CA—Today, Inyo In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) home care providers—members of SEIU Local 2015, the nation’s largest long-term care union, and California’s largest labor union representing more than half a million nursing home workers and home care providers—gathered at the Inyo County Board of Supervisors to deliver public comments as they continue negotiating for a new contract for stronger wages and healthcare.

Inyo County caregivers love the work they do, but they need livable wages to make ends meet. Many care providers are leaving the care industry for other competitive  paying jobs. We recently surveyed and found that  more than half of Inyo County home care providers who left the industry nearly three years ago report leaving home care for better paying jobs. Over a quarter who left report leaving due to the high cost of living in Inyo County. The Inyo Board of Supervisors needs to invest in the Future of Care, and that starts with a strong contract that features livable wages and healthcare coverage. 

“I don’t like being on food stamps to be able to eat, juggling  rent each month, seeing bills pile up and question whether or not I can afford groceries on what I make is just not enough. I work hard to take care of my recipients. A lot of this comes down to our IHSS contract with the County. The Inyo Board of Supervisors needs to recognize the essential work that we do, and how we more than just a few cents above minimum wage in order to take care of ourselves — because if we can’t support ourselves, how can we keep taking care of our recipients?” said Gina Martinez, an Inyo County IHSS provider and SEIU 2015 member. Read Gina’s full story here. 

“IHSS home care providers must be paid and treated as the essential workers that they are. These workers are the backbone of our community, yet they’re struggling to survive. The Inyo County Board of Supervisors must recognize the critical work of in-home care providers by paying livable wages and preserving access to healthcare for these providers,” said Arnulfo De La Cruz, President of SEIU Local 2015.

SEIU Local 2015 is committed to advocating for policies that support in-home care providers and those they care for, including livable wages and benefits, as well as access to training and professional development opportunities. To learn more about SEIU Local 2015 visit www.SEIU2015.org or on social media @SEIU2015.

###
SEIU Local 2015 is the largest union in California, representing more than half a million long-term care workers (home care, skilled nursing facility, and assisted living center workers) throughout the state. Its members are as diverse as the state’s population but united in their commitment to caring for California’s older adults and those with disabilities.