UPDATE 2: Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, 10:30 p.m. – Riverside County management finally provided Terms and Conditions of employment. Please click here to read more.
UPDATE: Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011, 5:30 p.m. – Riverside County has still failed to provide SEIU 721 with any of the Terms and Conditions of employment that it intends to unlawfully impose on members. Per Barbara Olivier, Riverside County Assistant CEO/Human Resources Director, the county is not prepared to provide the information until next week. It will be posted as soon as it is received.
Following SEIU 721 Riverside County member’s overwhelming rejection of the county’s Last, Best and Final Offer (LBFO), the county notified SEIU 721, Tuesday Nov. 22, 2011, that it intends to impose terms and conditions of employment, but has not offered any additional information including an effective date.
“By hiding behind the false pretense of an impasse, the Board has turned a deaf ear to the voices of their dedicated employees that work in the trenches everyday to keep this county running. Over and over some of their lowest paid employees shared their personal stories of hardship, but the Board continues to ignore the negative impact these additional cuts will have on their families and our local economy” said Wendy Thomas, SEIU 721 Riverside County Chief Negotiator, and 911 Communications Supervisor.
“The Board has not been truthful with the public. Their employees rejected their LBFO, because the county’s offer would have resulted in a permanent 6% reduction in take home pay within the next seven months while allowing managers and elected officials to continue to reward themselves with increases in wages, benefits and supplemental pensions. Although all employees are facing over 12% increase in their health care premiums starting in January, only select employees would have received a minimal 2.71% increase in pay based upon merit within the next year due to having their regular wages frozen for over three years now.
“The SEIU bargaining team’s last proposal is a fair deal for all employees that offer a temporary fix to a temporary problem while addressing the Board’s desperate political need for pension reform. During these negotiations, the SEIU 721 bargaining team sought transparency in the county’s true financial health, but was provided with smoke and mirrors. We believe the Board has rushed to impasse to avoid the implications of new legislation to take effect in January that would require them to participate in fact finding and mediation. If there were really such massive discrepancies between the costs and savings of each parties proposal, as the county is suggesting, than the county should readily embrace the use of a neutral mediator to disclose the truth.”
Last Friday, Nov. 18, in response to the county’s actions, SEIU 721 filed unfair labor practice charges against Riverside County with the Public Employee Relations Board (PERB) for:
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Improper declaration of impasse.
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Threats to terminate employees for participating in protected union activities, such as strikes.
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Withholding information relevant to the collective bargaining process.
The SEIU 721 bargaining team does not believe we were at an impasse in these negotiations and will continue to demand the county return to bargaining table to reach a fair and equitable contract that ensures our members can continue to care for their families while providing the quality public services that our citizens deserve.
The Terms and Conditions will be posted when received.
Of course the BOS wants to impose now and put an end to all negotiations, the property tax figures will be coming out in December. I’m sure there will be more in property tax paid this year, than last year and they are counting on all this business being done before that time.
Well done union. Because of your greed and inappropriate negotiation tactics you have brought about this imposition on your members. Of course I want everything that the union was asking for, who wouldn’t? But that is not the condition of the economic times we are living in. At least with the County’s LBFO we would have gotten a 2% step! The union only wants to be known for rejecting the county’s offer and not really coming to a balanced contract.
Press Enterprise says we are in an impasse and that they will start with the 3% decrease on December 1.
So what’s the next move? Since the BOS has decided to impose on us we need to have the balls to strike. They say they are making plans to cover 911 operators and nurses…. we need to step up now!!!!! and let them know that they can’t push us around anymore.I don’t want to have to strike but it sounds like it’s the only way, and going back to the table isn’t going to resolve anything. I drive 80 miles daily and can’t afford it anymore….
I wanted to ask about the “overwhelming numbers” who rejected the County’s offer. Not every member of SEIU was able to vote. Unless we were able to attend the meeting, or drive down to the office to vote, our votes were not counted. Can you let us know how many members out of the approximately 3900 members actually voted?
I was always used to getting a ballot in the mail and had a chance to vote. Why were we given less than a week’s notice that a vote was taking place, not notified of what was on the table until the day before the vote, and if we were unable to make a physical appearance our vote was not counted?
Obviously you have not worked at county for a long time. It is unacceptable to have pay raises frozen for over three years. We are the lowest paid nurses in the area. How is it right that a new RN is making less money than 6 years ago. Now they take any incentive away for wanting to work at county by getting rid of retirement. They also increased the cost of healthcare insurance for employees.
Don’t know whats next at this point, but i can’t afford to strike. It’s seems the county has us by the (bleep). And what happens to all the workers if we strike and our union fails to come to terms? Do we just get replaced and lose our jobs? Someone please enlighten me. I have kids to feed, and bills to pay like most of us…i’m trully worried about our future.
Regardless of if you agree or disagree with the contract talks, it would be wise to consider some of the effects a strike would have beyond trying to stand up to the BOS. I don’t recall any major strikes (or any strikes) of government workers since the recession began. If Riverside County workers strike, it will undoubtedly be covered nationally by the media. Public opinion of government workers does not seem to be very high right now, so I doubt seeing picketers at government offices or news stories about it will change that any. Ultra-conservatives will certainly take the opportunity to latch onto the strike and claim it is an example of how government workers are greedy and overpaid. Elected officials could use it as example to voters of how they stand up to the unions (insert whatever rhetoric against unions you want here). Ultimately, the BOS will not cave because they will have public opinion on their side, and the union workers will have lost credibility and wages while striking – in addition to the losses from the imposed contract.
No need to strike if SEIU or the courts can crack the county books. You know they would love to claim bankruptcy to nullify there contracts, but they know any honest review by the Trustee would not justify the BK protection. I would start with their enterprise funds (Exclusive Care-HMO, RCMC etc). I think you’d find some excess revenues that should be class as discrectionary. Then Redevelopment to see the tax dollars and public property given to their private interest for minimum public good.
I currently can’t afford to strike, but I can’t afford to take a 3% pay cut in December for total of 8% in the next year and half. But also know that if you are being bullied and you give in, you will just continued to be bullied. We pay enough dues to our Union to hire a professional negotiator. The County has a professional negotiator. We should not compromise our retirement. Last contract we were forced to furlough to save jobs and as soon as we did, the County found money to hire more employees.
I consider myself an employee that gives more than 100% percent at my job, its to the point that I take work home so that I am able to accomplish more. That will have to stop, since I know that all my hard work is not valued by my employer.
Lets hire a professional negotiator and get back to the table. We do not want to compromise our retirement. At this point, I am willing to not take any pay raises for another year, but don’t decrease our pay. This budget issue is a short term issue. Lets not agree on a deal that will affect us long term.
Currently, I pay a a lot of property taxes to Riverside County a year. With a pay cut, my home that I have been struggling to pay and stay current on will have to go. Your county employees are tax payers and contribute to the local economy. Pay cuts not only harm the employees they will also affect the local economy.
Unfortunately the County has the negotiation process rigged and hold all the aces, kings, and queens!!! Collective bargaining has never been so one sided. Has far as any serious work action, we need to coordinate with all unions after all of them have been imposed on!!! Let us know any court dates about the unfair labor practices the County continues to engage in so many of us can be there!!
Man this is bogus. I realized that I’m one of the lowest paid people in the country and you know what I don’t really give a damn. I’m gainfully employed, I enjoy my job and my family is comfortable. People need to stop crying and suck it up. I won’t strike, but it doesn’t seem like the Union I pay money to will even listen to me. The BOS are just like most government…crooks, lousy no good crooks but that won’t matter to my kids when their going hungry because some stupid union decides to strike. Just suck it up people and maybe down the road we can renegotiate when the economic times are better. Sheesh…Union = Crybabies. I just want to work and support my family, please let me!
WE have the most intelligent, dedicated bargaining team SEIU!
IF all members would join together we can be powerful together.
Lets stop being afraid and get involved for a fair contract.
I have a masters degree and frankly am tired of being underpaid
we deserve a raise just to catch up with the economy
our health care rates are the worst- we deserve better
UNITE IN SOLIDARITY
to “ThanksSEIU”, I cannot imagine for the life of me who you’ve been listening to or where you are getting your information from. There is no greed or inappropriate negotiation tactics on the part of the negotiation team. What specifically are you talking about ? Perhaps the inappropriate tactics of the COUNTY negotiation team. That 2.71 increase the County is offering is the only positive thing about that agreement. Why are the employees being punished for the mismanagement of County funds by the BOS and upper echelons of Management ?
Now that holiday shopping has increased over last year, it seems the economy IS getting better, slowly yes, but it is getting better. According to the County budget, sales tax for the first quarter of this current fiscal year is up from last year, so even the BOS know things are getting better. If this cut is allowed to happen, this will be a giant step backwards. My family used to be able to go to the movies at University Village, eat out at the restaurants nearby, shop at the K-Mart at Iowa and 3rd, once or twice a month. Since the furloughs, we’ve had to cut those luxuries out. With the 16% cut (My husband and I are both County employees), we’ll have to cut even more out of our budget.
A permanent cut will stay permanent, only for the rank and file as long as we allow our elected leaders to treat us this way. There is one thing we can do, vote them out as they come up for re-election. It may not be in time to stop what damage has been done, but it will at least tell them strongly what we, the voters think of them.
Voting out Buster and Stone may not prevent this, but it will deny them the spoils of their victory. If nothing else go to the polls for that reason.
Fellow co-workers,
I understand all the anger and I have lost sleep over this mess.
I want to say though that:
This is not the time to be angry at SEIU for sins of the past.
This is not the time to wish we had another negoitating team.
This is not the time to be short sighted about losing some pay while on strike verses the 10,000 dollars, give or take, you will lose over the next three years.
But rather:
This is the time to link arms and walk out the door to show the Board of Supervisors what we are really worth.
All of us that are in SEIU – doctors, nurses, 911 operators, social workers, accountants and more….We need to stand together dispite any differences. We are not children that can be spanked and put to bed early – taking back the 2.71% -by the Board or managment.
We have value they do not respect.
Let’s show that we respect ourselves and each other in our work. Let’s stand together or we all lose.
The Chief Negotiator and bargaining team appear to be withholding information from it’s members in order to manipulate their decisions. This should and does cause distrust in the Union amongst a silent majority of members. They wouldn’t release the LBFO because they said it was illegal, yet all of a sudden it was legal after they fed members their interpretation of the offer. I found it insulting that the Chief Negotiator said these meetings were to assist members in understanding what was at stake. We as members can read and understand what’s best for us without assistance. They take a validation vote from only members who attend their meetings and listen to their propaganda and then claim a resounding victory with 92% of the vote for rejection. I’ve seen many members and news paper articles where it’s been asked how many members voted and the Chief Negotiator and team will not release it the numbers. I see people on here ask legitimate questions just to be ridiculed or put down by other members. SEIU says it’s big on freedom of speech or so they say, yet when someone doesn’t agree with their views they attack them. While I agree with some things in our proposal, overall I don’t think it’s reasonable or realistic. I definitely think there are some personal agendas being played out at the expense of all members. I’m glad to be employed and I love my job, I will not be striking.
To turn on the union for inappropriate negotiations after the County has shown their true colors with threatening emails is truly a sign that the County’s propaganda worked on you. Did you ever go and observe negotiations? I did- several times, and I tell you, Wendy and that team have the patience of saints, the brains of well informed people, and the passion of us (because they are us) who live it. If you watched, you’d know County management represented themselves as rude, condescending, and non-empathetic. This isn’t the time to let the County divide and conquer. We must stand together and remember who we are- the working class that shops and/or lives in Riverside County!!!!!
How convenient that the county says we’re at an impasse weeks before Christmas. They know a lot of people won’t strike right before the holidays as they can’t afford to lose pay. I say take the current deal and renegotiate in 3 years. The economy won’t really turn around that much before then, and we won’t have to go thru this crap every year. And, believe me, with the real unemployment rate in our county as high as 20%, we will look like whiny brats if we strike. How long can people strike before what they loose in pay is greater than what they will gain? I don’t like it either, but think we have more to loose by striking…
So when is the county going to show us the conditions of employment? As of right now, they still have not shown us the terms they expect us to work under with one workday to go before they intent to impose.
The Board of Supervisors are not concerned with the County Employee’s problems with regard to earnings. They don’t have these problems, in fact if you take into consideration their earnings plus benefits, medical, etc. you would be suprised and the totality we are actually paying out for these less than fair thinking individuals. In the past few months in fact, I have come across “unethical” actions Tavaglione has taken in his position. He actually bribes businesses, taking amounts in excess of $10,000 pocketing this and agreeing to help them speed through process. whether it be a new business or liquor license, this action is unacceptable. These people should be thrown off the Board and bring in someone with morals and etiquette. Take care of that and you take care of the county’s problems.
I am amazed at how many people will sit back and complain about the Union but never attend a meeting or turn out to vote. If you don’t understand what is going on and are not willing to do the research which you obviously DIDN’T then by all means stay at home. My job at DPSS is the busiest job in the country due to the recession and I am supposed to do 10 times the work for reduced pay! I love my job and take pride in the work I do but I will not roll over and let the county take advantage of me without putting up darn good fight. If you’re not going to take the time to educate yourself before you speak, then please do us all a favor and don’t open your mouth!
Today is December 1st 2011, and still no word from the BOS or Human Resources as the the quote “LBFO” that they have imposed on SEIU members that goes into effect today, yes today is the start of the first 3% being removed from our pay checks. But HR stated that they would let us know the full content of the LBFO- so one more time the County has acted in bad faith, and not honored their employees. I’m tired of the lies, management stating that their feeling the same pain as us. Bull, BOS receive $149,000 per year… the Sheriff/Coroner over $230,000 per year. Me and my peers we get under $49,000 per year. Our Clerical make less that $25,000 per but our Managers make anywhere from $149,000 to $230,000 + per year. Really, who’s getting screwed…. next time whisper in my ear first…..
The county has already imposed terms according to this article: http://www.pe.com/local-news/columns/dan-bernstein-headlines/20111201-temecula-follow-that-shopper-or-not.ece
How can they impose terms and conditions of employment without telling us what they are? The county isn’t talking to us, SEIU isn’t talking to us. Am I just supposed to believe what is printed in the newspaper? Shouldn’t the county provide official notification before they start taking more money out of my paycheck?
I am in agreement with concerned. First, you didn’t answer any of his concerns or questions. As a paying member, I’m not required to attend meetings. I have a right to be represented the same as anyone else. So, why did I not get a vote? In all the flyers I saw, it never stated that you had to attend to vote on this. I agree that they only wanted the people that attended the meetings to vote because they could give them their take. Why has every other vote that I can remember done by mail to all members? And why has the union not released the total members that actually attended the meeting? I will not be striking. And I know for a fact that if we do not take 3% this year, there will be more layoffs. MANY more. I would rather have a job, or would you rather go sit with the occupy people and complain about the 1%????
Probably the reason you didn’t get a ballot to vote was based on you ignorance on the real issues you would have voted for your cheesy 3 percent and thought life was grand. Then you would have found out like I did about the 8 percent out of the retirement plus no cap on that to protect us when Gov. Brown raises it again sometime here in the near future which he says he intends to do. If I hadn’t showed up to that meeting I would have been as clueless as you were.