FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2015
Contact: Khanh Weinberg (408) 678-3364
Deal reached, Santa Clara County workers call off strike
Tentative Agreement covers four years
San Jose, Calif. – Hours before thousands of Santa Clara County workers were scheduled to walk off the job Tuesday, contract talks between Service Employees International Union Local 521 and the county produced a tentative agreement, and union leaders called off the 6 a.m. strike.
The agreement, which still must be voted on by the membership and approved by the Board of Supervisors, covers four years.
The county had sought a court injunction to block the strike, set to begin on Tuesday, June 30. But the Santa Clara County Superior Court on Monday ruled only 475 county workers out of the 9,000 represented by SEIU Local 521 could be deemed “essential employees” and would need to report to work.
The union represents workers from an array of county departments including 9-1-1 County Communications (dispatchers), the Health and Hospital System (public health nurses, x-ray technicians, etc.) and Social Services (child welfare workers, eligibility workers, etc.).
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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
