IHSS workers’ contract marks first pay raise in 6 years
The Service Employees International Union — California’s largest union, representing 400,000 longterm caregivers across the state — reached a threeyear contract agreement with Yolo County Supervisors at Tuesday’s meeting, awarding improved contracts for 3,000 In-Home Supportive Service (IHSS) workers.
The new contract comes after 13 months months of bargaining and negotiations between SEIU Local 2015 and the county, much of which played out during Board of Supervisors meetings.
The agreement guarantees the first pay raise for IHSS providers in the county in six years. The board’s vote to approve the agreement was unanimous.
The new contract will permanently increase the County’s IHSS Maintenance of Effort by approximately $500,000 per year, or $1.5 million over the three-year lifespan of the agreement.
Staff will return to the Board at the mid-year budget update with a long-term funding plan.
“I’m grateful that we were able to get a contract and lift up providers and their needs,” SEIU Local 2015 member Patrick Ornelas stated. “I’ve been very disappointed that it took over a year to come to an agreement and in the leadership of Yolo County, during a pandemic when caregivers are risking their lives daily to make sure people with disabilities have quality care and it took over a year to come to an agreement.”
IHSS is a federal, state and locally funded program providing assistance to eligible aged, blind, and disabled individuals receiving Medi-Cal benefits who are unable to remain safely in their own homes without assistance.
SEIU Local 2015 Executive Vice President Arnulfo De La Cruz said during public comment that IHSS workers are the largest essential workforce, particularly amid a pandemic.
According to the California Department of Social Services’ website, over 520,000 IHSS providers currently serve over 600,500 recipients throughout the state.
Per the agreement, members’ wages will be raised to $13.75 as soon as possible, and will then move up to $14.75 in January 2021 and $15.75 by January 2022.
Other changes include protected healthcare plans and waitlist procedures have been updated to ensure providers get coverage more quickly and there is an added provision for providers to maintain health coverage in the event of IHSS program cuts.
There will be new provisions for PPE funding, including masks, gloves and soap. Expanded non-discrimination language to protect members from discrimination, harassment and disrespect by consumers are also part of the agreement.
Connor Gorman, a candidate for Davis City Council in District 5, said during public comment at Tuesday’s meeting that he’s glad the county was able to reach an agreement with the IHSS workers.
“This is a very important position in our community and it’s important that we continue to support them and give them the benefits and wages that they deserve,” Gorman said.
Negotiations and push for the agreement were also supported by Yolo County’s Democratic Socialists of America chapter.
Yolo DSA helped the campaign by participating in car caravans, giving public comment during meetings and pressuring the Board of Supervisors on social media and in the news.
“IHSS caregivers did not win all their demands, however this contract was significantly better than any previously accepted by the county, likely due to recent efforts,” Yolo DSA Secretary Dov Salkoff said in a statement.