Historic Strike Hits Tulare County
Tulare County government came to a standstill as more than 1,000 county workers waged an unprecedented one-day strike Wednesday, Oct. 8, to say we will accept nothing less than a fair contract and livable wages. The unfair labor practice strike was in response to the County's refusal to bargain with employees after the SEIU Local 521 Bargaining Team submitted a counter-offer after California State Mediation was unsuccessful.
Click on the photo on the right for more photos.
Tulare County's elected Board of Supervisors collect six-figure salaries while County employees are earning, on average, 15 to 20 percent less than their counterparts in comparable communities.
We drew massive media coverage that came to broadcast LIVE the sea of purple T-shirts worn by workers at more than a dozen Tulare County government sites, from the jailhouse to the courthouse.
Inside the government centers throughout the day, phone calls went unanswered, front desks went unstaffed and mail was left unopened.
My feet are tired and my voice is a bit used but my spirit soars,
said Richard Kelsey, a Bargaining Team member and Mental Health Technician II.
Keep the faith brothers and sisters in the union. The battle has just been joined.
Workers proudly returned to work Thursday to once again serve the Tulare County community. But our work is not done and we will not stop until we win a fair contract with decent health benefits. Stay tuned.
Come back soon to this web page for more follow-up, photos and video.
Photo Slideshow Media Coverage: ABC30 Videos:
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Fresno Bee Recorder Online
Valley Voice Visalia Times-Delta:
Frontpage "[Tulare] County workers take part in one-day strike"
We drew massive media coverage that came to broadcast LIVE the sea of purple T-shirts worn by workers at more than a dozen Tulare County government sites, from the jailhouse to the courthouse. Inside the government centers throughout the day, phone calls went unanswered, front desks went unstaffed and mail was left unopened. My feet are tired and my voice is a bit used but my spirit soars, said Richard Kelsey, a Bargaining Team member and Mental Health Technician II. Keep the faith brothers and sisters in the union. The battle has just been joined. Workers proudly returned to work Thursday to once again serve the Tulare County community. But our work is not done and we will not stop until we win a fair contract with decent health benefits. Stay tuned. Come back soon to this web page for more follow-up, photos and video. ABC30 Videos: , , Watch video Watch video Watch video Visalia Times-Delta:
Tulare County Bargaining Team ready to win a fair contract for all members. Go to the Tulare County worksite page for weekly bargaining updates.