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Dozens of IHSS caregivers urge living wages at Board of Supervisors public comment
Summary
More than 30 people — many in IHSS roles — urged the Board of Supervisors to secure higher wages and improved contracts for in‑home supportive services providers, citing poverty, housing insecurity and the economic strains of caregiving.
Hundreds of public commenters attended Tuesday’s meeting and the board heard extended public comment from in‑home supportive services (IHSS) caregivers and union organizers who urged county officials to secure a living wage and better contract terms.
Speakers described long shifts assisting elderly or disabled care recipients, described housing insecurity among IHSS workers and said wages offered are insufficient in the county’s high cost environment. A collection of speakers — including representatives from SEIU and IHSS providers — told the board caregivers save public funds by enabling people to remain at home rather than in institutional care and asked the county to intervene at the bargaining table to achieve wages that support basic living needs.
Several witnesses gave detailed personal accounts: caregivers who had left higher‑paid jobs to provide family care, workers who said they had difficulty affording housing, and union organizers who requested the board use its convening power to press for a fair contract and improved benefits.
The board received the testimony during the general public comment period; supervisors thanked speakers and noted labor negotiations and budget pressures but did not take a formal legislative action during the meeting on IHSS wages. Several supervisors said they intended to consider caregiver compensation as part of broader budget and labor negotiations.
