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Inyo County caregivers urge board to raise in‑home pay and approve multi‑year contract
Summary
Multiple in‑home care providers told the Board of Supervisors March 31 that low wages are driving a caregiver shortage and asked the county to raise pay (SEIU requested $17.25/hour) and approve a multi‑year contract to retain providers.
Gina Martinez, a SEIU home care provider, told the Inyo County Board of Supervisors on March 31 that many in‑home caregivers are living on minimum wage and asked the board to raise compensation to $17.25 per hour and approve a three‑year contract renewal to improve retention.
"We're currently living on a minimum wage," Martinez said, and argued the county should negotiate a larger increase than the $1 raise the board approved previously.
Juanita Watterson, an IHS caregiver who said she has worked with local clients for four years, told supervisors Inyo County is experiencing a severe caregiver shortage and described low pay as a barrier to recruiting and keeping qualified providers. "Give us the contract we need so we can continue giving care for the folks in Inyo County who need us the most," Watterson said.
An online commenter identifying herself as Deborah, an IHS provider for two years, described working with a client who has Parkinson's and said higher wages would improve stability for both providers and recipients in remote parts of the county.
Why it matters: Supervisors heard multiple firsthand accounts that providers are underpaid, use personal funds for training, and that low compensation contributes to a shortage that affects seniors and people with disabilities. The speakers urged the board to consider larger increases and to avoid leaving federal or state funding "on the table."
What happened next: The public comment was recorded; the board did not take immediate action during the meeting on a wage increase or a contract amendment. Staff and county leaders previously discussed related labor negotiations in closed session earlier in the meeting.
