**MEDIA ADVISORY**
Caregivers are leading the way to fix California’s broken long-term care industry with a statewide bus tour in support of the “Our Care Counts” bill
WHEN: Sunday, May 7, 2023
10 AM – 12 PM Service (inside)
12 – 12:15 Special blessing of riders (outside)
WHERE: West Angeles Church at 3045 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
WHO: Los Angeles In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) providers Chiquita Twyman, Stephanie Rogers, Mark Lizama, SEIU Local 2015 First Vice President of Home Care Industry Blanca Carias, supporters and allies from the SEIU Local 2015 community, Assemblymembers Isaac Bryan and Tina McKinnor, and Rev. William D. Smart of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).
WHAT: California’s IHSS workers are kicking off a statewide caravan bus tour in Los Angeles demanding California elected officials to pass the “Our Care Counts” bill—Assembly Bill 1672—that would allow care providers to use their collective voice to advocate for improved pay and benefits of more than half a million essential home care providers across California by enabling statewide collective bargaining. The caravan’s kickoff event will fittingly take place at West Angeles Church, a firmly rooted and active congregation serving as a beacon for community development for its more than 24,000 members. Rev. Smart will also lead a special blessing of the riders.
This bus tour will mobilize thousands of care providers and their supporters at various campaign events across the state, from Fresno and San Bernardino to San Francisco and San Benito. The bus tour will culminate with a powerful rally at the steps of the capitol in Sacramento. (See map) (See Care-a-Van schedule)
WHY: IHSS caregivers face rising costs of living, inflation, and economic uncertainty, making it even more critical to standardize the industry statewide and push for higher wages and benefits so they can continue their essential work and attract critically needed workers for California’s rapidly aging population and our community members with disabilities.
This legislation, launched in partnership with the United Domestic Workers (UDW), would enable workers to negotiate directly with the State to make changes needed to recruit, train, and retain the home care workforce California needs.
Press Contacts:
DKC News
SEIU@dkcnews.com
On Site Contact:
Terry Carter
terryc@seiu2015.org
(805) 312-0024