Home health caregivers push for minimum wage increase [Video]

PEORIA (25News Now) – The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and caregivers have called on state lawmakers to increase the minimum wage for home healthcare workers to $20 per hour in the upcoming budget.

The state’s current minimum wage for home health caregivers is $17 per hour, but caregivers and some people who rely on home care say the pay isn’t enough to meet clients’ needs.

“I get 25 hours a week on a 70-80 hour per week job,” caregiver Brad Walker said. “I can’t say no just because I’m not getting a paycheck. That expense comes totally out of my pocket.”

“Over time, what we’re seeing is that workers will leave the industry because it isn’t sustainable for them,” SEIU VP of Home Care Jackie Rodriguez said.

“And then the ones we do have, like myself, have to work other jobs just to make the ends meet,” said caregiver …