BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — After years of gridlock with the county over a new contract, an overwhelming number of Kern’s in-home care providers have agreed to a new one — the first since 2017.

According to a spokesperson with the United Domestic Workers of America union, 98.2% of workers voted to ratify that contract.

According to UDW, there are about 11,000 IHSS workers in Kern County, 7,000 of whom are part of the union.

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But the contract will impact all in-home care providers, countywide. There are a little more than 13,000 IHSS recipients.

The next step is for the Kern Board of Supervisors to certify that contract during its next Board meeting on Tuesday, May 21.

If certified, the contract is effective May 21, 2024, through June 30, 2027.

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The workers will receive a one-dollar total increase over those three years — a wage increase of $.60 the first year, an additional increase of $0.20 the second year, as well as another $0.20 increase the third year.

This is all a supplemental wage increase, on top of the state minimum wage of $16 the workers currently receive.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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