700 Riverside employees represented by SEIU 721 cheered Thursday night as they got the news: Riverside County is coming back to contract talks just a week after they walked away. The County and SEIU 721 bargaining team meet Monday, August 10.
Here are some reactions from people who were there:
“We’re not trying to save a job, save a paycheck. We’re trying to save a community.”
> Diana Serrano, GAIN Coordinator
“We are not willing to compromise the health and safety of children and disabled and elderly adults in Riverside County. We need to stick together and stand firm.”
> Karen Embree, Social Service Worker, Adult Protective Services
“Some people say it doesn’t matter whether you are involved. Well, apparently it does.”
> Loren Bowles, Network Administrator, Treasurer-Tax Collector
“Unlimited furloughs would affect patient quality and put a strain on the public by decreasing services in our hospital.”
> Maria Dolores Rodriguez, RN, RCRMC Infusion Center
Sheriff Stanley Sniff and members of the Teamsters praised Riverside employees’ hard work in fighting for public services. “The real untold heroes in our organization are the members of your union,” Sniff said. “Furloughs damage our operation.”
What We Stand for:
• Restoring overtime pay to let us meet emergency needs
• Winning fair treatment compared to other County employees and management
• Limits on furloughs
• Cost-savings that work for the public
What’s Next:
SEIU 721 members took steps to hold elected officials accountable. Follow up meetings will be scheduled in all 5 supervisorial districts.
Download the flyer to print and hand out to co-workers (pdf)