HOME CARE WORKERS MARCH FOR A LIVING WAGE

HOME CARE WORKERS MARCH FOR A LIVING WAGE
By Mike Rhodes
October 17, 2003

Hundreds of home care workers and their allies marched in downtown Fresno today for a living wage. There are over 10,000 home care workers in Fresno County who voted overwhelmingly to join Service Employee International Union local 250. They have been bargaining with the County so workers here will have what home care workers have throughout the state - a living wage with health benefits.

* Yolo County homecare workers just achieved a raise to $9.60 an hour with health and dental insurance and training pay, with Sacramento County paying $9.60 with health insurance.
* Last July, San Joaquin homecare workers won a first contract with a pay raise and health and dental insurance.
* Most California contracts provide for a $9.50 wage with health, dental and vision insurance and other benefits.

Fresno County has unilaterally implemented $7.50 an hour with no benefits and is currently refusing to bargain with the workers union. To make matters worse, the County of Fresno has taken money that could have been used for home care workers and given it to the District Attorney’s office to investigate “fraud.” Immediately following the County’s “last and final” offer of $7.50 an hour, home care workers began having their hours cut. Many think this is in retaliation for the workers voting to be represented by a union that is vigorously struggling to increase wages and benefits.

SEIU has filed charges with the state’s Public Employment Relations Board charging that the County is bargaining in bad faith. While the County refuses to negotiate the workers suffer. “For years now, I’ve needed a mammogram and the other routine medical examinations that a middle-aged woman such as myself requires,” said Fresno County home care worker Florine Furlow. “I spend my days making sure my clients are getting to their medical appointments on time and taking the proper doses of their medications, but yet I can’t afford my own blood pressure pills. I’m scared to death about my health - my doctor told me I’m a prime candidate for a stroke, but with no living wage or health care coverage, I can’t get the medication I need to do something about it.”

Former City Council member Les Kimber asked the crowd of about 300 outside the Fresno County Hall of Records why there is always enough money for wars and more prisons but somehow the Board of Supervisors can’t find the resources to pay a living wage for home care workers. After his speech Mr. Kimber added that he is outraged by the Sheriff’s department infiltrated of Peace Fresno (see story at http://www.indybay.org/news/2003/10/1650550). How can they have all the money they want when violating our civil liberties but say they have no money when it comes to paying a living wage? It is a matter of priorities.

To find our more about the home care workers struggle for a living wage in Fresno contact SEIU local 250 at http://www.seiu250.org/