MARTINEZ, Calif. – Home care workers will protest at the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors meeting at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18 over the board’s plan to eliminate health benefits for thousands of home care workers who help seniors and the disabled with everyday needs so they can live safely at home.
Home care workers say eliminating their health benefits undermines the quality of care thousands of seniors and disabled receive by forcing some workers to leave for better compensated jobs, thus diminishing care for vulnerable seniors and disabled residents. They also pointed out the irony of the board eliminating healthcare benefits for healthcare workers.
Currently, home care workers in Contra Costa County are paid $11.50 an hour and receive no paid sick leave or paid vacation. Caregivers would be forced to get health coverage through Medi-Cal or Covered California, the state health exchange.
Home care workers say it’s not too late for the supervisors to protect the health plan for caregivers, who save significant taxpayer money by providing care to seniors and the disabled in their homes rather than far more expensive hospitals and nursing homes.
WHAT: Protest to urge Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors to reverse its plan to eliminate health benefits for thousands of home care workers in the region.
WHO: Home care workers
WHEN: 8:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 18
WHERE: Contra Costa County Administration Building (outside the main entrance)
651 Pine St.
Martinez, CA 94553
VISUALS: 50 home care workers holding colorful, handwritten signs.
Informationprovided by SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West
1 comment
Like all of our elected officials, they want to cut benefits to those that need it. However, you never, never hear anything about reducing or cutting their benefits.
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