San Benito County Workers are staging two actions to demand accountability from the County Board of Supervisors. Members of SEIU Local 521 have been in contract negotiations with the County for months. With the impending expiration of their county contract on September 30, workers are asking the Board of Supervisors to invest in the workforce and in the public services they provide to the community of San Benito.
For the last 8 years, County workers have seen only a 3% cost of living adjustment while withstanding 16% in wage cuts and 270% increase in healthcare costs. The county is constantly losing workers to neighboring counties where the pay, benefits, and working conditions are preferable. Throughout these contract negotiations, county workers have focused on recovering from the recession and ending the attrition of quality workers, but the County’s negotiations team has not offered a wage increase that would make this possible. Despite ample reserves, County has offered their workers less than the projected inflation rate for 2018.
San Benito County workers will attend Sept. 26Â Board meeting to speak during public comment, and will host a rally outside of the board chambers to demand accountability.
Speeches and Rally at San Benito County Government Center
When: Tuesday, September 26 at 9:00 a.m. (speeches at either 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m.) and at 12:15 p.m. (rally)
Where: 481 4th Street, Hollister
Service Employees International Union, Local 521 represents 40,000 public- and nonprofit, private-sector workers in the central Bay Area region and in the Central Valley. Under a Community First vision, we are committed to making sure the needs of our community, and the vital services we provide our community, come first. We believe our communities thrive when residents, leaders and workers recognize that we are all in this together when it comes to our safety, health, and well-being.
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Contact: Katie Small, (714) 515-0217
Communications Specialist, SEIU Local 521
O: (831) 824-9255 x.3262 | C: (714)-515-0217