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Caregivers press Shasta County for higher pay as supervisors proclaim Employee Appreciation Week
Summary
At the April 22 meeting supervisors adopted a proclamation designating April 27–May 3 as Employee Appreciation Week. Dozens of public commenters — many IHSS caregivers and recipients — urged the board to provide higher wages and better contract action rather than symbolic recognition.
The Shasta County Board of Supervisors on April 22 adopted a proclamation designating April 27 through May 3, 2025, as Employee Appreciation Week and May 3 as Employee Appreciation Day, but several speakers said the recognition falls short without contract action for home-care providers.
The proclamation passed 5–0 after brief remarks from Monica Fugate, the county’s director of support services, who outlined staff-organized activities culminating in a May 3 family event at Anderson River Park.
During public comment a steady stream of caregivers and IHSS advocates urged the board to move beyond symbolic gestures to concrete wage increases and contract settlements. “Caregivers aren’t doing the job because of the benefits,” said Madeline Clark, an organizer with SEIU 2015. “They do it because they care… It’s time to show your constituents that you value them and the work that they do.”
People with direct caregiving experience described how low pay affects services and recipients. “It takes more than empathy—it takes financial stability,” said Susan McMainz, an IHSS provider of 17 years. Brian Bowman, a disabled veteran and caregiver, said the household he and his wife run had only $5 left for food this month.
What the board did - The supervisors unanimously approved the Employee Appreciation Week proclamation. The clerk recorded only that action; no wage or contract motions were on the agenda.
Why it matters - IHSS caregivers provide in-home services that can keep veterans, elderly people and disabled residents housed and out of institutional care. Speakers and union representatives told the board that poor pay contributes to staff turnover and service gaps. - Commenters also urged the board to prioritize bargaining progress and to put caregiver contracts on a future agenda for formal action.
Board response - Supervisors thanked county staff for organizing the appreciation week and acknowledged the public comments. No immediate board motion to increase IHSS wages or to set bargaining deadlines was recorded at the April 22 meeting.
Ending County staff and community advocates will likely press for follow-up at future board meetings and in closed-session labor negotiations. For now the board’s formal action was the proclamation and a May 3 employee event.
