Last Wednesday, May 10, healthcare workers rallied in support of SB 525 in Stockton. SB 525 is legislation for a $25 minimum wage for healthcare workers to address the patient care crisis and healthcare workforce shortage. Healthcare workers are burned out and traumatized after the stress of the pandemic and the way healthcare employers disregard staffing needs. Lack of adequate staffing produced tragic results during the pandemic, and healthcare workers are leaving their profession in alarming numbers. Low pay and poor working conditions mean that not enough new workers are willing to join the healthcare workforce. 

Brandon Dawkins, VP of Organizing for SEIU 1021 and a healthcare worker said:

“The cost of living is through the roof and we have healthcare workers sleeping in their cars and encampments who get up to work and care for their patients, clients, and residents. SB 525 would give workers a chance to survive on the job with a living wage. We’re calling on the state to take action and support this bill the way workers support these communities. We’re calling on Senator Eggman to support 525!”

It’s time for California to fix the healthcare and behavioral health worker shortage and resulting patient care crisis. To find out more, visit https://seiuclinicworkers.org/!