Faith Leaders and Home Care Workers Ask San Diego County Supervisors to “Have a Heart”

Download the February 2008 issue in PDF format

By Anthony Saavedra

Members of the United Domestic Workers and the Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice spent Valentine’s Day asking the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to “have a heart” in determining raises for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) home care workers.

According to a report conducted by UDW, the 22,000 IHSS providers currently earn $9.25 an hour, which is $2.25 per hour less than what San Diego County is authorized to pay with reimbursement from the state. The County has traditionally offered raises of just a few cents per hour.

After gathering for prayer outside the County Administration Center, ICWJ faith leaders led delegations to the Supervisors’ offices to bring the issue directly to the officials. Having called ahead, only Supervisors Greg Cox and Ron Roberts’ offices assigned a staff member to meet with the delegations.

Those waiting for the other three Supervisors packed the office lobby as they waited up to an hour to speak with any staff member. With the entire staffs of the remaining supervisors suddenly “out of the office,” those still waiting began singing to remind staffers they were still waiting. Persistence, prayer and song paid off.

Staff members from each of the Supervisors’ offices eventually met with those waiting, including the Chief of Staff from Supervisor Jacob’s office.