The Caregiver's Powerhouse: 5 Major Victories And Battles Facing SEIU Local 2015 In Late 2025
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 2015 stands today, December 19, 2025, as a colossal force in California's labor landscape, representing over half a million long-term care workers who are the backbone of the state's healthcare system. This union, which unites In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), skilled nursing facility (SNF), and assisted living center workers, has been at the forefront of crucial battles throughout 2025, securing vital contract ratifications and mobilizing against significant federal threats to caregiver wages and protections.
The latest updates from SEIU Local 2015 reveal a union in constant motion, demonstrating its collective power through both political action and high-stakes bargaining. From the successful ratification of a major contract in Los Angeles County to a fierce legislative fight against a proposed rule change that could strip away minimum wage and overtime rights, the union's work directly impacts the quality of life for its members and the millions of Californians they serve.
SEIU Local 2015 Leadership and Foundational Profile
SEIU Local 2015 was formed with the singular purpose of bringing California's long-term care workers together to build collective strength and improve working conditions, wages, and benefits. Its sheer size makes it a dominant political and economic voice in the state.
- Formation: The union was officially formed to consolidate the power of California’s long-term care workers.
- Membership: Represents a collective powerhouse of nearly half a million long-term care workers across California.
- Key Sectors: In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF), and Assisted Living Centers.
- Current President: Arnulfo De La Cruz. He was sworn in as President in January 2023, following a period of service as an Executive Vice President from 2015.
- Notable Former Leader: April Verrett, who previously served as President of SEIU Local 2015 and SEIU California, was elected as the President of SEIU International, demonstrating the local's influence on the national labor movement.
- Mission: To advocate for better pay, benefits, and training for caregivers, and to ensure quality care for the elderly and people with disabilities.
The October 2025 LA County IHSS Contract Ratification
One of the most significant recent victories for SEIU Local 2015 members was the ratification of a new contract for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) providers in Los Angeles County. This victory, culminating in a vote on October 8, 2025, secured a one-year tentative agreement with the Personal Assistance Service Council (PASC).
Securing the Future of Care
The ratification was celebrated as a major step in "investing in the Future of Care," highlighting the union's commitment to securing quality wages for quality home care. The bargaining process, which involved months of strong unity among the LA IHSS Bargaining Team, underscored the power of collective action.
IHSS workers, who often provide essential, life-sustaining services, are fighting not just for fair compensation, but for the dignity of their profession. This contract provides crucial stability and improvements for thousands of caregivers in the state's most populous county. The momentum from this win is expected to fuel ongoing negotiations in other regions, such as the active bargaining efforts underway for IHSS workers in San Joaquin County.
The Federal Fight: Protecting Minimum Wage and Overtime Rights
Perhaps the most critical battle SEIU Local 2015 faced in mid-2025 was a nationwide legislative threat to the economic security of home care workers. In July 2025, the Trump Administration proposed a new federal rule that sent shockwaves through the labor community.
A Rule to Strip Protections
The proposed rule aimed to strip away minimum wage and overtime protections for millions of home care workers across the country. This move, which would effectively reopen a loophole allowing employers to broadly classify care workers in a way that exempts them from basic labor laws, was immediately and aggressively challenged by SEIU Local 2015.
The union mobilized its vast network of long-term caregivers to fight this proposal, arguing that taking away these fundamental rights would be a devastating blow to the long-term care workforce, which is predominantly made up of women of color. The fight against this rule is a core component of the union’s policy updates from the 2025 State Legislative Session, emphasizing that the battle for caregiver economic justice is fought on both state and federal levels. The union sees this as a direct attack on the progress made in establishing home care as a respected, professional career.
SEIU 2015's Political Power: Caregivers for Democracy
SEIU Local 2015 understands that contract wins and legislative victories are intrinsically linked to political power. The union’s "Caregivers for Democracy" campaign is a testament to its commitment to mobilizing its members for political action.
Prop 50 and Pro-Care Candidates
The union has consistently mobilized its members statewide for key measures, celebrating the successful passage of Proposition 50, which was seen as a major victory for caregivers. This campaign demonstrates that when working people organize and vote, they win.
The union’s political strategy focuses on mobilizing its nearly half-million members to support "pro-care, pro-union candidates" who will champion policies that improve the lives of long-term care workers and their clients. This mobilization is crucial for securing funding for IHSS programs, ensuring proper staffing levels in skilled nursing facilities, and pushing for legislation like SB 156, which supports caregiver rights.
The Ongoing Fight for Dignity and Economic Justice
The work of SEIU Local 2015 in late 2025 is a clear demonstration of a modern labor movement focused on dignity, respect, and economic justice for a workforce that is often undervalued. The union's efforts extend beyond wages to encompass a holistic view of the caregiver's life.
The ratification of the LA IHSS contract and other tentative agreements, such as the one reached in Sonoma County, provide immediate, tangible improvements for members. However, the defense against federal attacks on minimum wage and overtime protections highlights a persistent need for vigilance. As the largest union in California, SEIU Local 2015 continues to lead the charge, turning the collective voice of long-term care providers into concrete legislative and contractual wins for the "Future of Care" in California.
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