Sonoma County approves new contract with in-home care providers

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today ratified a three-year contract agreement with Service Employees International Union Local 2015 that would increase wages and benefits for more than 7,200 local in-home care workers who assist seniors and people with disabilities. 

The agreement between SEIU and the Sonoma County In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority would increase the hourly wage for in-home care workers by 14.4 percent over the next two years. 

“This agreement recognizes the incredible work of IHSS providers who help keep vulnerable residents safe in their homes,” said Supervisor David Rabbitt, chair of the Board of Supervisors, which serves as the board of directors for the County’s IHSS Public Authority. “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 Sonoma County In-Home Supportive Service Public Authority helps more than 8,000 low-income seniors and people with disabilities remain in their homes by connecting them with qualified care providers who assist with housekeeping, cooking, laundry, personal care and other household tasks. 

In Sonoma County, IHSS workers are paid the state minimum wage, currently $16 an hour, plus a local wage supplement negotiated by SEIU, currently $1.35 an hour. Under the new contract, the local wage supplement would double to $2.70 an hour in 2025 and increase to $3.35 an hour in 2026. When combined with the state minimum wage, the current $17.35 hourly wage for local IHSS workers would increase to $19.20 in 2025 and $19.85 in 2026. 

As part of the agreement, the County agreed to explore new health care plan options that could potentially be made available to IHSS workers in the future. Union stewards and contract negotiators would receive paid-time to represent IHSS workers and enhance collaboration. 

The agreement must be reviewed by the California Department of Social Services. If approved by the state, the wage increases are expected to take effect March 1, 2025. 

IHSS providers are employees of the people they care for but are paid by the California Department of Social Services with a mixture of federal, state and County funds. Their last contract with the County expired in September 2023. 

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Media Contact: 
Ted Appel, Communications Specialist 
publicaffairs@sonoma-county.org 
(707) 565-3040 
575 Administration Drive, Suite 104A 
Santa Rosa, CA 95403