Press Release: July 8, 2011
Contact: Khanh Weinberg – (408) 921-0098
SALINAS, Calif. – Monterey County workers overwhelmingly ratified their contract Thursday, with 83 percent voting yes on the tentative agreement with the county.
Acknowledging that the county and state continue grappling with budget deficits, workers from SEIU Local 521 worked hard to ensure that saving jobs and services was priority #1.
The two-year contract, from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2013, calls for employees to contribute 3.5 percent toward their retirement plan, bringing significant savings to the county which will help reduce layoffs.
“We live and work in this community and this contract shows we are willing to do our part during tough economic times,” said Ben Franklin, an SEIU 521 chapter president and negotiating team member. “We were gratified to see that the county shared our goal of preserving services and jobs, and we achieved that with this contract.”
The board of supervisors will vote to approve the contract on July 12.
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The Service Employees International Union is an organization of 2.1 million members united by the belief in the dignity and worth of workers and the services they provide. SEIU is dedicated to improving the lives of workers and their families and creating a more just and humane society.
For more information, visit www.seiu521.org
