Families Deliver Thanksgiving ‘Letters’ to Ventura County Board of Supervisors

During the month of November, Ventura county employees wrote “letters” to the board of supervisors sharing their personal stories about escalating health-care costs. They wanted to send a message about the financial impact on their families. Children and grandchildren of SEIU 721 members delivered the letters at the Nov. 22 Ventura County Board of Supervisors meeting.

Ventura County bargaining team members Ruben Juarez and Carolyn Consoli spoke at the meeting and Rosemary Sepulveda, age 16 and granddaughter of bargaining team member Grace Sepulveda delivered the “Thanksgiving Cards.”

“Earlier this year, members began contributing more to their retirement which has helped save the County almost $6 million,” shared Juarez to the board of supervisors.“I think of my coworkers as my second family and urge you to read their messages and concerns.”

Health Care Costs Set to Rise in January

In January, SEIU members will have their paychecks reduced for the third time in one year when the new health-care premiums rates go into effect. A priority for these negotiations is for an employee increase in the County contribution to Flex Benefits that fully cover the least expensive medical, dental, and vision plans.

The current SEIU contract expired on Sept. 30 but is extended while negotiations continue. The County has scheduled long breaks and rescheduled bargaining sessions during these current negotiations.  The County has committed to bring a full comprehensive proposal at the next scheduled meeting on Dec. 10.