State lawmakers are scrambling to keep thousands of critical health care workers from striking next week.

Akin Obisesan works at a group home in Westport, taking care of the disabled. Obisesan says he's paid so little -- making the same wage for 10 years -- that he has to work two jobs just to make ends meet. He says he doesn't want to strike on Monday but may have no choice in joining the 2,500 other Service Employees Union workers.

"This has been a long process," Obisesan says. "They're always making promises that they don't fulfill."

The state House on Wednesday approved a pay hike for 19,000 health care workers who would make at least $14.75 an hour. Those already making more than that would get a one-time raise of 5 percent.

But until the state Senate approves the raise, union leaders say the strike is still set for Monday. The Senate may take up the issue on Friday.