In Mendocino County, the largest workforce isn’t hospitality or construction, it’s the almost 1,400 In Home Social Support (IHSS) workers who care for elderly and disabled people in their homes throughout the county. Although the work can be lifesaving for some of the county's most vulnerable residents, care workers make minimum wage and receive no benefits.
IHSS workers are represented by Service Employees International Union Local 2015. For the first time in over two years, this week they began contract negotiations with the county of Mendocino, who funds the program through realignment funds in the county budget.
Raul Gardea is an organizer with SEIU local 2015 in Ukiah. Gardea, who was at the table in a support role during the first contract negotiation meeting on Tuesday, says it’s the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors that will make the final decision about the contract.
Cindy Fonseca, is the regional director for northern californis SEIU local 2015. She represents almost 12,000 home care and nursing home providers in 13 counties north of Sacramento. According to Fonseca, Mendocino’s In home Social Support workers earn minimum wage. They have no benefits at all, no vacation or access to retirement benefits. And if a care provider takes care of a family member, they don’t even contribute to social security. As a result, the county is facing a crisis in hiring, leaving many patients without adequate care.
Beverly Galton is a Home Support Service provider, and a member of the Union’s negotiating team. At 76, Galton works two jobs and survives on a fixed income.
At the first contract negotiation meeting on Tuesday, SEIU 2015’s bargaining team presented the County with a comprehensive proposal that included provisions for wage increases, benefits and improved training. So far the county has not responded to their intial demands, but the IHSS workers remain hopeful. They head back to the table on August 15th to see if they can reach an agreement.