OAKLAND, Calif. – The Alameda County Board of Supervisors approved Tuesday an historic contract for homecare workers that brings increased wages, additional transportation funds and protects quality health benefits for care providers.
The Board’s approval marks the end to an 11-month contract campaign led by local homecare workers from SEIU Healthcare, United Long-Term Care Workers’ Union, to improve the lives of the more than 15,000 Alameda County In-Home Supportive Services (homecare) workers who provide vital care to the region’s elderly and people with disabilities.
“Because we stayed united and consistent in our message to the Board, we finally were able to win the contract homecare workers deserve,” said Thanh Ahlfenger, a bargaining team member. “This contract shows that we believe in justice for all homecare workers.”
For months negotiations were at a stand still over the possibility of an increased premium for healthcare benefits and the potential for many workers to be placed on waiting lists to receive healthcare. To break the halt, homecare workers launched a campaign of radio and newspaper ads, made thousands of calls to Supervisors and held rallies to garner public support.
“Homecare workers need healthcare just like everybody else,” said Brenda Blannon, a homecare worker and bargaining committee member. “Bending and lifting our clients often, we’re more likely to get hurt on the job, and if we cannot get the health care we need, we jeopardize the health of our clients. We had no choice but to stand firm on this.”
Under the new agreement, care providers will earn $11.50 per hour – the maximum wage the State of California will “match” under current law. The agreement also prevented a hike in healthcare premiums for providers. Facing a double-digit premium cost increase, Supervisors proposed setting caps on the number of workers eligible to receive health benefits. But the two sides worked together, developing a solution that prevented enrollment caps and ensured not a single homecare provider would lose benefits.
Tyrone Freeman, President of SEIU Healthcare, ULTCW said he is pleased that the Board of Supervisors listened to homecare workers’ needs and worked together to achieve a fair contract.
“Through this contract, the Board of Supervisors demonstrated their support and commitment to keeping Alameda County healthy and safe,” Freeman said. “They also re-affirmed their commitment to the IHSS program – a critical state service that keeps thousands of Alameda County’s elderly and people with disabilities living comfortably in their own homes.”