The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors has approved pay and benefit increases for 7,200 in-home care workers who assist seniors and people with disabilities.
A contract with workers represented by Service Employees International Union Local 2015 will raise hourly wages by 14.4% over the next two years.
The workers assist with housekeeping, cooking, laundry, personal care and other household tasks through the Sonoma County In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority.
While IHSS providers are employees of the people they care for, they are paid by the California Department of Social Services with a mixture of federal, state and county funds, the county said.
Their current $17.35 hourly wage will increase to $19.20 in 2025 and $19.85 in 2026, the county said.
“This agreement recognizes the incredible work of IHSS providers who help keep vulnerable residents safe in their homes,” Supervisor David Rabbitt, chair of the Board of Supervisors, said in a news release. “We are deeply grateful for their dedication, and we are proud to support them with a fair wage and other resources to continue their essential work.”
The county also agreed to explore new health care plan options that could potentially be made available to IHSS workers in the future.
The agreement must be reviewed by the Department of Social Services. If it approves, the increases would take effect March 1, 2025.
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