L.A. Caregivers Protest Demands Investment in Essential Workforce

Los Angeles, CA — On July 13,   California’s largest union, SEIU Local 2015,  representing more than 400,000 long term caregivers staged  two simultaneous, live “Care is Essential” rallies  July 13 in Los Angeles and Oakland demanding that the American Jobs Plan include $400 billion investment in homecare services and a $20 minimum wage.  The SEIU and its partnered coalition included union carpenters, United Domestic workers, CARECEN, CHIRLA  held simultaneous “Care is Essential” rallies in Los Angeles and Oakland. More than 2,000 workers turned out for the Los Angeles rally.

This nationwide day of action, united thousands of care workers, care consumers, advocates and partners to demand greater federal, state and local investment in America’s care infrastructure to improve care, better working conditions and build a pathway to a $20 hourly wage for caregivers and the middle class. 

Nearly 200,000 Los Angeles County and Alameda County homecare workers are preparing to negotiate their first post-pandemic contract. Home care is also the nation’s fastest-growing job sector, as roughly 10,000 Americans turn 65 each day. The U.S. will need to fill an estimated 4.7 million home care jobs, including over one million new jobs, by 2028. 

This workforce – predominantly made up of Black, Latina, Asian, and immigrant women – have historically been left behind in access to basic worker’s rights. 

“This workforce is the backbone of this country,” said SEIU local 2015 President April Verrett. “The contributions they make to our communities in need are vital and oftentimes these workers are in need themselves with the poverty level wages they are given. The neglect our homecare workers face every day is relentless and it stops here. We need to reflect the impact these workers have on this country in the way they are compensated and invested in.”

Los Angeles and Oakland were two of 24 cities nationwide to take to the streets demanding good unions, living-wage jobs and a down payment to expand access across the care system.