SEIU 721 members from Riverside County Waste Management Department are all smiles after Art Fuentes, center, delivered a letter and signed petitions to the Board of Supervisors prior to their vote to abandon the privatization process of the county landfill system.
After months of working together to fight the privatization of their department, SEIU 721 members from Riverside County Waste Management spoke at the Board of Supervisors meeting, July 2. They reminded the Board that not only were members’ jobs at stake, but so too were the quality public services they provide.
The Board voted 3-1 to abandon privatization efforts. Supervisor Jeff Stone voted against abandoning the plan and Supervisor Marion Ashley abstained.
Art Fuentes, Senior Engineering Technician, delivered a letter from members to the Board, along with a petition of opposition signed by an overwhelming majority of members from their department.
“We understand that during these difficult economic times local governments look for creative ways to generate revenue, but handing over control of our county’s assets is not in the best interests of Riverside County residents. The workers in our Waste Management Department work extremely efficiently and by doing so control costs, provide services that reduce the burden on taxpayers and maintain transparent operations.”
Click here to read the letter in its entirety.
“On a personal note, for the past three years all of my fellow co-workers have been working under this dark cloud of privatization. This bad idea has put not only my fellow co-workers but also our families, under stress.”
-Art Fuentes, Senior Engineering Technician
“Members that didn’t normally work together found a common bond. We were able to send a strong message to the Board that department workers were an important factor in the decision making process and needed to be considered before voting.“
-Janet Moreland, Recycling Specialist
Read the One to One blog written by members of the Waste Management Department.
Download a flyer from the Board of Supervisors meeting.
Read this article from the Press-Enterprise.