By Isabell Ortega
Los Angeles County’s Chief Executive Office (CEO) took a nuanced stance today on stalled contract negotiations with SEIU Local 2015, representing over 240,000 local In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) caregivers.
Since January, the primary low-wage workers have been without a contract. The CEO answers to the County Board of Supervisors.
“Los Angeles County values the important services provided by In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) workers, who make such a meaningful difference in the lives of people who need care who are over 65 years of age or disabled or blind,” the CEO said in a statement to Los Angeles County Politics.
“These 233,000-plus IHSS workers are not County employees and are currently negotiating through their union, SEIU 2015, directly with the Personal Assistance Services Council, which is the public authority for this program.”
County employees or not, SEIU membership was out in force at this week’s Board of Supervisors meeting. SEIU members charged the Board with negotiating a new contract in bad faith.
“The County’s wage proposal last week of zero dollars is not just insulting—it’s a statement,” said SEIU 2015 Executive Vice President Carmen Roberts.. “A sad statement that the work we do, the care we give, and the people we serve don’t matter.”
The union noted in a release that caregivers across LA County provide essential homecare to low-income aging adults and people with disabilities. On average, these workers earn just $18.50 an hour, which is only $23,000 a year. The union maintains that this has left 87% of caregivers needing to work multiple jobs to survive and 64% relying on public assistance like CalFresh and food banks.
“We’ve been caring for others while being forced to live below our means,” said IHSS provider Leilani Reed. “Some of us are behind on rent and some of us are making difficult choices between buying groceries or paying for gas to drive to the homes of those for whom we provide care. We are LA County’s largest low-wage workforce. The Supervisors have the power to change that. We are calling on them to give us the respect we deserve rather than the insult we’ve been given. It’s time to prioritize IHSS workers.”
The union maintains the County pays less than 18 cents on the dollar toward caregiver wages—the remainder is paid by state and federal funds.
“Let’s be clear: this isn’t about affordability. Every dollar in caregiver wages costs the County less than eighteen cents,” said Roberts. “Yet every dollar benefits the County by keeping people out of costly nursing homes and emergency rooms. When you offer us nothing, you’re not saving money—you’re making a choice. A choice to turn your back on caregivers. A choice to turn your back on seniors and people with disabilities.”
LA County IHSS workers are asking to increase their hourly wage to $21.74 over three years – an increase of $3.24 over the term of the contract of which the county is responsible for a small portion.
But the CEO refused to take the bait and get into an argument over the contract in the press.
“Under the State’s IHSS program, the IHSS providers are employed by the IHSS recipient and paid by federal, State and local funds,” the CEO said in a statement. “Because negotiations are ongoing, we cannot provide additional details at this time.”
