Citing a need to balance the budget, lawmakers subsequently delayed the date to July 1, the beginning of the next fiscal year, at the end of May with hours to spare before the June deadline.
Now, the timeline is in question, as the agreement under consideration by the Legislature leaves the date open-ended.
According to the agreement, wages will not increase until cash receipts exceed the first quarter forecast by 3 percent or the Department of Health Care Services secures a waiver from the federal government for the hospital quality assurance fee charged to the state.
The prior would push the first possible date to at least Oct. 15 and the latter could result in a start date of Jan. 1, 2025.
“Of course, workers are disappointed that not every low-wage worker in health care will receive raises this summer as the law initially scheduled,” Dave Regan, president of the Service Employees International Union–United Healthcare Workers West, said in a statement emailed to The Epoch Times June 25.
“But we also recognize and appreciate that legislative leaders and the governor listened to us as we mobilized and spoke out this year to insist that, despite a historic budget deficit, California’s patient care and healthcare workforce crisis must be addressed.”
He noted the impact of the pandemic on the industry—with thousands of health care workers, including nursing aides and medical assistants, among others, in the state leaving the field due to “occupational hazards, understaffing, and low wages.”
“We knew we had to take action to address this crisis, which endangers both patients and workers,” Mr. Regan said. “As a result of workers’ tireless advocacy, we are confident that the initial raise for workers who have not yet received it will happen in the fall.”
He expects further increases laid out in the law to occur on schedule.
“This budget means we can stop the bleeding and stabilize a health care system that touches every Californian, and in future years workers will be able to count on the wage increases agreed upon without doubt, delay, or further debate,” Mr. Regan said.
Approximately 426,000 health care workers across the state will be impacted by the decision if it is ultimately approved by the Legislature.
Some critical of the delay pointed to the $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers which began earlier this year as evidence that those in the health care field deserved similar raises.
She also expressed concern that with more illegal immigrants receiving access to healthcare due to new laws passed last year, stress levels are increasing for workers while pay increases are delayed.
“Now that’s delayed until likely next year,” Ms. Cordova said. “Meanwhile, their workload increases as [California] expands state health [insurance] to more people.”
One worker in the industry also suggested the discrepancy in pay for workers in certain industries is unfair.
The budget agreement is currently under consideration by the Legislature and must be approved by lawmakers and signed into law before the new fiscal year begins July 1.
It remains to be seen if any changes will be negotiated by the Assembly or the Senate as the plan is debated in the coming days.
The governor’s office and the bill’s author did not respond to requests for comment on deadline.
