The union vote on the County’s Last offer is set to end on December 11.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Bakersfield, Calif – Workers represented by Kern County’s largest union, Service Employees International Union Local (SEIU) 521 joined an early morning protest picket action and press event on Tuesday, December 3rd directed at the Kern County Board of Supervisors. The workers protested the fact that Supervisors continue to ignore worker demands to address staffing shortages and poor delivery of public services, as a result of non-competitive wages.
Dozens of County workers provided comment during the regular morning board meeting and shared how poor county wages and working conditions impact the delivery of services like recovery services from substance abuse, animal control, social work, and public health.
Following the completion of public comment, workers walked out in protest after Chief Administrative Officer, Nancy Anderson doubled down on the county’s position while discrediting workers understanding of the financial state of the county.
County workers will form another picket protest after their work shifts from 4:00 pm to 7:00 on Tuesday, December 3rd to express their support for the elected bargaining committee’s recommendation that members reject the County’s “Last, Best, and Final offer” on wages and working conditions and authorize the union bargaining team to call for an Unfair Labor Practice Strike if an improved county offer isn’t delivered.
9:00 am Press Event Program included:
- Alicia Aleman, Kern County Social Worker and SEIU 521 Kern County Chapter President
- Mullissa Willette, SEIU 521 President
- Katherine Hughes, SEIU CA Nurses Alliance
- Dolores Huerta, Labor and Civil Rights Leader
- Dr. Chris Cruz-Boone, BCSD Trustee Area 3
- Rosario Romero, Kern County Human Services Supervisor and SEIU 521 member
- Mary Hernandez, Kern County Substance Use Disorder Specialist II and SEIU 521 member
REMARKS FROM TODAY
“Today, workers who attended the Board meeting protested and walked out because the Board of Supervisors is not taking worker concerns seriously. Management keeps repeating the same message, but workers know they can offer a fair contract. Workers have told them we’re losing talented staff due to low wages, and we cannot serve vulnerable communities without better working conditions. Kern County is in a healthy financial state and has the resources to provide workers with competitive, livable wages.
We’ve seen the audited financial data and public budgets provided by the County. It’s basic math – for the past five years, revenues have exceeded expenditures. Providing livable wages is a matter of prioritizing and stabilizing the workforce that keeps Kern families safe, self-sufficient, and healthy.” – Alicia Aleman, Kern County Social Worker and SEIU 521 Kern County Chapter Vice President
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Service Employees International Union, Local 521 represents more than 10,000 public-sector workers across Kern County. 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.
