L.A. County Home Care Providers Call For Pay Increase

A group of Los Angeles County home care providers today delivered the Board of Supervisors more than 30,000 petitions calling for caregivers to receive a living wage of $9.65 per hour.

Members of the SEIU United Long Term Care Workers union have been working with county officials since last year on a contract to replace an agreement, now expired, reached in 2008. The 128,000 caregivers who provide home care services to about 155,000 low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities through a state-funded program receive $9 per hour, with no vacation time or sick leave.

"All we're asking is that the county grant us with the same living wage that they require anyone doing business with the county to pay their employees,'' said care provider and union member Jimmie Taylor.

Rosario Quintero, a home care worker, said through a Spanish-language translater that the work "is really hard, physically and mentally.''

"It is very stressful,'' she said. "We have to make sure that those we take care of can remain at home, receiving quality care at their homes.''

But she said it is more stressful "when we receive some bills and notifications of late payments. What is even worse is when we get our (utility) services cut.''

Union representatives said they pushed state officials to apply for federal funding to assist in covering the costs of long-term care services.

"We've gone as far as to find the funding to cover a raise that will lift Los Angeles County home care workers out of poverty and bring them up to the county's living wage,'' said caregiver and union executive board member Rob Robbins. "All we're asking the county to do is to accept the money and grant us the raise.''

Gov. 's budget proposal calls for cutting $125.3 million from the state program by eliminating some services for people in shared living arrangements and minors living with an able parent. Saying such cuts would likely spur legal challenges, the Legislative Analyst's Office has instead proposed cutting the hours or rates paid to caregivers.

The union argued that the raise they're asking for would boost the county's economy and tax base and support 721 new jobs, citing a January study by Beacon Economics. 

County officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.