New contract raises wages to $18.90/hr on January 1st for 51,000 workers, so they can afford the rising cost of living and support their family
Riverside, CA—Today, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved a three-year union contract for In-Home Supportive Service (IHSS) workers represented by United Domestic Workers (UDW/AFSCME Local 3930) with significant raises and strengthened benefits, that will ensure quality care for seniors and people with disabilities. The contract gains come at a time when Riverside County has the fourth-oldest population in California, and demand for home care services is skyrocketing. IHSS workers provide their clients with the care they need to live with dignity, health and freedom, including bathing, feeding, grocery shopping, medication reminders, ensuring they receive proper medical care, and providing crucial companionship.
UDW represents just over 51,000 IHSS workers throughout Riverside County, and is one of the largest unions in California, with over 220,000 home care and child care providers across the state. The contract was overwhelmingly approved by 98% of member voters and goes into effect on January 1, 2026.
“This contract is a result of home care workers standing together and demanding better. When we come together, we’re powerful,” said Andrea Dudley, a home care worker in Riverside County and Vice President of UDW District 3. “We’re the backbone of our communities and deserve to be fully compensated for our hard work, so home care workers are sending a message that we will keep fighting to be paid for the true cost of care.”
The contract provides the following wage increases for Riverside County IHSS providers:
- $18.90/hr effective January 1, 2026;
- $19.90/hr effective May 1, 2026;
- $20.73/hr or $3.83 above minimum wage (whichever is higher) effective May 1, 2028.
Worker benefits were also expanded under the new contract. The union trust will receive:
- An increase to the Health Insurance Trust Fund contribution of $0.84 per hour for health insurance benefits;
- $20,000 per year for training funds;
- $60,000 per year to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE)
- $50,000 per year for transportation (gas cards or bus passes);
- Maintenance of $20,000 life insurance for all providers.
“Our Riverside members serve our communities every day, providing vital services to seniors and people with disabilities. This contract is a powerful step forward, but we will keep fighting for home care workers to be paid fairly for their vital work,” said UDW Executive Director Doug Moore. “As we see drastic cuts on care at a federal level, it’s incredibly important for counties to continue to value home care workers’ contributions to our communities.”
UDW members have ratified eight IHSS contracts across the state, increasing wages and benefits for over 147,000 workers so that they can continue to provide quality care for California’s seniors and people with disabilities.
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UDW represents more than 220,000 dedicated home care and family child care providers across California and is one of the largest unions in the state. Their members are the backbone of care for seniors, children, people with disabilities, and working families—fighting for fair wages, better working conditions, and policies that strengthen communities.