Bargaining Update: County Rejects Another Cost Saving Proposal

This week, the SEIU 721 bargaining team expected to make real strides to reach an agreement on a proposal SEIU offered to county management. Instead, the 721 team and members who observed bargaining were disappointed when the county spent less than an hour at the table to discuss SEIU’s proposal on salary compaction, union rights and a significant cost-saving measure that would benefit the county.
 
The county declined SEIU’s offer to extend a special provision adding two lower salary steps to entry level jobs which would save the county about $1 million annually. This offer came in exchange for language ensuring a permanent salary compaction solution and maintaining the right for county employees to participate in union activities related to employment, such as collective bargaining and labor-management committees, without suffering a personal loss in pay.
 



“The county refused a fair proposal that could save millions of dollars over the years based on the fact that they have a problem with maintaining a worker’s basic union rights. As an injury to all, the county’s negotiator continues to waste time and tax payer dollars trying to evade the real issues because of philosophical and not financial differences.” – Wendy Thomas, SEIU 721 Chief Negotiator and 911 Communications Supervisor
Take Action
Attend bargaining. Negotiation sessions are open to all SEIU 721 members to observe.
Next Bargaining dates are:
• Monday, Aug. 29, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Monday, Sept. 12, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Sept. 13, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Monday, Sept. 19, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Bargaining location: County Assessors Office – Box Springs Facility – 6221 Box Springs Blvd. in Riverside, CA, 92508. Please park in the back.
Did you know?
The county’s chief negotiator said Riverside County workers were not significantly impacted financially by furloughs in 2009. He said he didn’t believe members lost their homes to foreclosure or qualify for public assistance services.
Some members of the Board of Supervisors think county employees have lavish retirement packages, even though the average retiree only receives a pension of about $17,000 a year and $25 a month to pay for health care.
It is time for Riverside County workers to share your personal stories of hardship to the Board of Supervisors and the public you serve.
Please contact Tracy Silveria, SEIU 721 Communications Specialist, if you would like to tell your story on Tuesday, Sept. 13. starting at 9 a.m.
tracy.silveria@seiu721.org
Or call the office 951 248-4651