$15 an hour can no longer be the minimum wage target for direct care workers in 24/7 health and human services. The workforce emergency in our nation has pushed basic entry level jobs closer to $20 per hour.
24/7 direct care workers must be above the basic to account for the love, stress, and toll of caring for residents and clients in round-the-clock settings.
The new minimum wage for direct care workers needs to be $20 an hour, and $24 an hour for those working second and third shift.
Our federal and state government leaders must step up to ensure the care of our society’s most vulnerable.