Personal Assistants win healthcare, higher wages with new contract
RNs, LPNs and CNAs unite in SEIU for quality care
Personal Assistants in the IDHS/ORS program ratified a historic contract agreement that took effect July 1. Members feel the agreement will help slow turnover in the industry by moving toward a living wage and providing health benefits for thousands of home care workers caring for people with disabilities.
The agreement raises wages from $9.35 to 11.55 per hour over four years and provide more than $57 million to establish health care and training funds for the more than 25,000 personal assistants who provide front-line care for people with disabilities through the Illinois Department of Human Services/Office of Rehabilitation Services.
On July 1st, Personal Assistants received their first wage increase of the new contract-- raising wages from $9.35 to $9.85 per hour.
More than 500 certified nurse assistants, licensed practical nurses and registered nurses-- uniting for the first time in SEIU Healthcare Illinois & Indiana-- also will receive wage increases under the agreement.
Gail Hamilton
CNA, Riverton
More training for home care workers means quality care for our
consumers. Our new training fund will give home care workers the chance
to learn new skills that could help us save lives.
Keith Kelleher, president of SEIU Healthcare Illinois & Indiana, feels the agreement will help provide stability for home care workers.
“This historic agreement will improve care for people with disabilities throughout Illinois by reducing turnover and improving training for caregivers across the state. By committing to invest funds to provide this workforce with health insurance and living wages, the State of Illinois has taken a major step in improving the quality of care for seniors and people with disabilities,” he said.