Latest update 9/10/2024
On September 10th, Ventura County care providers gathered at the Board of Supervisors to advocate for their right to livable wages and adequate healthcare insurance. Ventura providers were fired up as they kicked-off our statewide Get Out To Vote campaign on the same day.
Despite being four months into their contract campaign, Ventura care providers still do not have a contract that addresses their lack of healthcare access. Providers need this healthcare access in order to take better care of their recipients. After all, while caregivers may be superhuman in their commitment to taking care of their recipients, they still need adequate healthcare.
“It’s hard to think about leaving my recipients,” said Maria Andres, an IHSS provider, her voice heavy with emotion. “But we need health benefits. It’s coming to a point where I might have to find another job.” Read Maria’s full story here.
Also in attendance were Santa Paula Hospital nurses and workers from the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United. These nurses have been protesting against the planned closures of the birthing and intensive care units. The nurses know and understand what it is like to have those in power neglect their concerns, which is why they were so eager to stand with SEIU 2015 members: because they know that healthcare workers are in this together. Both groups understand the strength of their Worker Power and will continue pushing for equitable improvements to their contract. Read the recent article from the Ventura County Star about Ventura care providers in the fight.
Read more here. Stay tuned for our next Board of Supervisors’ Action!
Latest update 7/23/2024
Ventura care providers gathered at the County’s Board of Supervisors meeting to share comments and their need for livable wages and access to healthcare. Stay tuned for updates as Ventura care providers continue to advocate for justice, respect, and dignity for themselves and caregivers across the county. It is crucial that we prioritize the well-being of our care providers and ensure that they have access to the necessary resources and support. It is time to come together and to Put Care First at the forefront of our priorities. View photos of the board hearing 📸 HERE.
KEYT Press Coverage with SEIU 2015 Executive Vice President, Dereck Smith.
“One of our members has said we are [the] therapists, we are the nurses… [it’s also] more than that,” said SEIU Local 2015 Representative Aracely Preciado in a press coverage by KEYT.
Ventura County IHSS providers held their first Board of Supervisors Hearing
Latest update 6/18/2024
On June 18th, Ventura County IHSS care providers met at the Ventura Board of Supervisors for their first public hearing to raise visibility to discuss contract negotiations on living wages and having access to better healthcare benefits. Two SEIU 2015 member leaders, Vicki Manning and Lorena Gonzales, spoke up about the importance of quality care in Ventura County and the growing number of seniors in the community who depend on essential care.
The public hearing was a crucial moment that caregivers used to highlight the need for higher wages through their testimony, since so many of them are at or near the poverty line. I The current Ventura County IHSS wage ($18.25) is only 65.3% of living wage for a household of 1 in Ventura County; for a household with one child, the IHSS wage is only 37.44% of living wage in Ventura. Over 73% of Ventura County caregivers have to work other jobs outside of caregiving to make ends meet.
The meeting set the stage for future discussions and collaborations with the Board of Supervisors to ensure that caregivers are valued and supported in their important work. See the public comment video HERE. View photos of the board hearing 📸 HERE.
In mid July, a bargaining session will be held to discuss the need for a livable wage and adequate healthcare benefits that are equal to the amount of work that Ventura caregivers put in every day. These are hardworking people. These are people with kids and spouses and other family members to take care of. Over 73% of Ventura caregivers have to work another job outside of caregiving to make ends meet.
Stay tuned for more campaign updates next month!
Attention Ventura County IHSS providers: Get ready to negotiate for a new contract!
Latest update 5/31/2024
One in five Ventura County home care providers say they may leave the industry, citing low wages and lack of benefits. Unless these become better jobs, care providers will continue to leave this profession for competitive paying jobs. Caregivers have been on the frontlines of the pandemic. They’re working long hours and caring for our loved ones, so why aren’t we treating them like the essential workers they are?
In 2023, Ventura County had 860,070 unused IHSS hours, representing a 7.1% gap in paid versus authorized hours. The IHSS caseload in Ventura County is growing annually and the program is expected to continue to grow each year. This is why it is so important for the Ventura County Board of Supervisors to make sure that the IHSS program is not only well-funded, but also offers caregivers better health insurance benefits: caregivers are the backbone of Ventura County. They care for thousands of disabled folks and older adults. It is time for the level of care that they provide to be reflected in their pay and healthcare benefits.
Stay tuned for results from our Ventura IHSS Economic Indicator Survey that many of you filled out this month.