During the last bargaining session, July 5, 2011, an SEIU 721 financial research analyst challenged management on the statistical data provided in the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), which shows how much money the county actually has to pay its bills. The analysis proves that the 8% cut proposed by the county is being driven solely by the Board of Supervisor’s “political” desire for pension reform rather than an economic reality.
“How can the county ask us to give more and more when the county actually has money? Their chief negotiator doesn’t even know what the CAFR is, let alone the actual economic reality of the county’s revenue, assets and expenditures.”
– Rick Gay, Accounting Technician I and bargaining team member
Click to download the CAFR ending fiscal year June 30, 2010.
In good faith the SEIU bargaining team presented management with a proposal that would save about $1 million a year by extending two lower salary steps for new hires. In return, SEIU merely requested the county to stop their attacks on member’s rights and to extend the provision to resolve salary compaction issues for the supervisory unit.
In what is becoming their mantra, management advised that they were “unprepared” to discuss this proposal and requested additional time to review the three items, even though it was a reduction of the same proposal given to them four months ago. The SEIU bargaining team granted the county an additional hour to prepare.
Similar to their 2009 response, when the county snubbed the cost saving ideas and efficiencies which would have saved county taxpayers millions of dollars, management again rejected SEIU’s offer and instead countered with a proposal that would take over $7 million from members in the first year while providing them with reduced union rights. The county negotiator stated it was a “good deal” and the county was “putting its best foot forward” for our members.
This type of bad faith proposal is unacceptable and the hundreds of members that filled the Raincross ballroom at the Riverside Convention Center on Thursday, July 7, clearly let the bargaining team know they are ready to do whatever it takes to obtain a fair contract.
R U READY?
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The next bargaining dates are:
• Monday, August 15, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Monday, August 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Tuesday, August 23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bargaining location: County Assessors Office – Box Springs Facility – 6221 Box Springs Blvd. in Riverside, CA, 92508. Park in the back.
Negotiation sessions are open to all members to observe. Management doesn’t want you there, but your Bargaining Team does.
Stay Informed
Receive regular updates from your bargaining unit during contract negotiations by updating your membership information today. Don’t forget to provide your personal email address.
Visit the SEIU 721 Inland Area Bargaining Update page to view past updates.
You can email your questions or comments directly to the SEIU 721 Riverside County bargaining team at rivcoseiu@gmail.com.
This is the best article yet. As we now are working “without a current contract” management has to look at what it is doing and finally become accountable for their inaction. To be unprepared is only a tactic to stall what they know they are doing wrong and to try to get the union membership to feel anxious that they are “working without a contract” However, those of us who are informed know that this is not the end of the world and to continue to work in good faith during bargaining on our part is the best thing we can do for ourselves. I attended the meeting on Thursday and was impressed by the bargaining teams’ knowledge and desire to do the best for the membership. I feel that I am being represented by a panel of people who have their hearts in the right place and are willing and able to provide us with a good contract. That is providing that management can finally see the light and know that we cannot be snowballed this time. Dont let management get you nervous and worried about losing your jobs. The SEIU bargaining team has our backs and it is time that the membership shows its’ support to the bargaining team. Lets get out there and show management that we mean what we say and are willing to back up our bargaining team with our support.
Well said!!!! We need to support the team and we need to be ready to take action or we will get snowballed again.