The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approved salary and benefit increases for 7,200 home care workers who support the elderly and people with disabilities.
The contract with workers represented by Service Employees International Union Local 2015 will increase hourly wages by 14.4% over the next two years.
Workers help with housework, cooking, laundry, personal care, and other household chores through the Sonoma County Home Support Services Corporation.
While IHSS providers are employees of the people they care for, they are paid by the California Department of Human Services using a combination of federal, state and county funds, the county said.
The current hourly wage of $17.35 will increase to $19.20 in 2025 and $19.85 in 2026, the county announced.
“This agreement recognizes the outstanding efforts of IHSS providers to help keep vulnerable residents safe in their homes,” Supervisor David Rabbitt, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, said in a news release. Ta. “We deeply appreciate their dedication and are proud to support them with fair wages and other resources so they can continue their essential work.”
The county also agreed to explore new health plan options that may be available to IHSS workers in the future.
The contract must be reviewed by the Department of Social Services. If approved, the increase would take effect from March 1, 2025.
