Rally coverage from The Sun, San Bernardino

Home-care workers plan rally at SB County Government Center

The Sun

Home-care workers plan rally at SB County Government Center
Lauren McSherry
Article Launched: 11/17/2008 10:44:54 PM PST

SAN BERNARDINO - Scores of home-care workers represented by SEIU Local 6434 plan to rally this morning outside the San Bernardino County Government Center.

The union is objecting to stalled contract negotiations with the county.

"A large majority of the wages and benefits are reimbursed by the state," said Scott Mann, spokesman for Local 6434. "Every dollar that is not utilized is one less dollar that can be brought to the local economy."

The union had requested a $2 per hour raise and asked for the county to contribute more money toward health insurance coverage, confirmed David Wert, the county spokesman.

Home-care workers assist seniors and disabled people who are enrolled in the state's In Home Supportive Services Program, which is administered locally by the county. Home-care workers are paid $9.25 an hour and carry out such tasks as housecleaning, meal preparation, grocery shopping and personal care services.

There are 18,000 home-care workers in the county, Mann said.

"This program is an investment," Mann said. "It keeps people in their homes where they want to be, instead of being forced into institutions."

The county is unable to put money toward a pay raise and health insurance, Wert said.

Even though some health insurance costs are reimbursed by the state, the county could lose those reimbursements in the near future due to the worsening budget crisis, Wert said.

"Some costs are reimbursed eventually," he said. "But there is still money out of the county's pocket, and that's what the county can't spare."

Wert added that the county does not want to appear insensitive but it is facing the worst fiscal crisis seen in a generation.

"The county values the work that these people do a great deal," he said.