Tulare Co. Workers Submit Petition to Board for Fair Contract

Tulare Co. Workers Submit Petition to Board for Fair Contract

New Tulare County Bargaining Team ready to win a fair contract for all members. Go to the Tulare County worksite page for weekly bargaining updates.

Tulare County workers, outraged over County proposals for a 0% wage increase and asking workers to pay a larger share of their own health care, delivered a petition with over 1,400 worker signatures to the County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, June 10. The petition calls for the county to negotiate a contract that includes competitive wages, affordable health care and improved working conditions.

Tulare BOS Meeting

Photo: Katherine DeYoung (left) and Steve Browning, present the 1,400 signature petition to the Board of Supervisors.

We work every day to provide the services that the people of Tulare County rely on to live their daily lives. All we're asking the County to do in return is to negotiate in good faith with us, and their current proposals are a slap in face,

said Steve Browning, a Self Sufficiency Support Assistant II at the Visalia Processing Center, who presented the petition to the Board of Supervisors.

With the current contract between the County and its workers expiring on June 30, 2008, negotiations are underway between management and the worker-elected Bargaining Team. The County's initial economic proposal to the workers offered 0% in wage increases and an additional $25 per month for health care costs, despite the fact that Tulare County employee wages are some of the lowest in the Central Valley, making it difficult to attract and retain employees.

Tulare BOS Meeting

Photo from left to right: Janet Baker, Katherine DeYoung, Dianne Evans, Greg Gomez, Steve Browning and Anthony Cardona.

It is time the Board recognizes that our union is stronger than ever. Presenting the unity petition validates the presence and voice of our membership, and we think this is one of many steps in getting a contract that benefits everyone,

noted Browning after presenting the petition.

While county employees fall farther behind, the Board of Supervisors implemented a new system of compensating executive management. The new system replaced a 5-step system with board salary bands that include higher maximum salary ranges and allows wage increases of up to 10% each year.

On Thursday, June 26, a community rally and walk is scheduled at the Tulare County Courthouse, bringing together hundreds of Tulare County workers to demonstrate solidarity and strength to the Board of Supervisors and management.

Listen to the presentation to the board: In the drop down menu below the audio player, select "40. Public Comments."

New Tulare County Bargaining Team ready to win a fair contract for all members. Go to the Tulare County worksite page for weekly bargaining updates.