Siskiyou IHSS Workers Highlight Crisis for Elderly and Disabled Care

Yreka, CA – September 29, 2025 – At a recent Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors meeting, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) workers and advocates shared critical concerns about the county’s failure to secure a collective bargaining agreement, making it the only one of California’s 58 counties without one. The low $16.50 hourly wage, they argued, fuels a caregiver shortage that threatens care for the elderly and disabled.

Jessica Vickers, a licensed vocational nurse with 25 years of experience, explained that insufficient IHSS staffing forces hospitals and rehab facilities to retain patients. “They’re not paid enough,” she said, noting the growing demand as 29% of the county’s population is over 65 and 12% is disabled, per California Department of Social Services data. Neal Aronson, with Healthcare Providers, highlighted the unpaid overtime family caregivers provide beyond their allotted 3 hours and 26 minutes daily.

Renee Clough, a 64-year-old retired nurse and IHSS worker, spoke of working 60-hour weeks across three clients, supplementing with private pay to survive. In an interview, she described caring for Kathy, a bedridden client with no bladder control or leg mobility, fully dependent on just three hours of daily IHSS care. Clough drives 30 miles round-trip three times a day, seven days a week, for minimum wage. “A person’s life depends on someone paid so little,” she said. “If something happens to me, who steps in? How long would Kathy go without care?”

Jim Solegi, a banking professional, calculated full-time IHSS pay at $28,908 yearly—$2,409 monthly—leaving no room for savings. “Minimum wage is not livable,” he urged. Sarah Quintana cited the county’s 27% retiree population and 17.5% disability rate, warning that without a contract, costly inpatient care looms, especially with $100 billion in federal rural health cuts pending.

SEIU Local 2015 coordinator Lucia Guerrero, speaking remotely, said higher wages would attract state-federal matching funds, boost the local economy, and stabilize caregiving. “Delaying bargaining shows a lack of respect for these vital workers,” she stated. The union has pressed for fair pay since at least August 2024, with negotiations stalled despite available funds.

Supervisors took no action, as unrelated vaccine injury comments also arose. With thousands of billable IHSS hours and a dire worker shortage, advocates stress that addressing this crisis is long overdue to ensure care for Siskiyou’s vulnerable.