San Mateo Co. Workers Blow the Whistle on Cuts and Outsourcing

San Mateo Co. Workers Blow the Whistle on Cuts and Outsourcing

A purple-wearing, whistle-blowing crowd gathered in the heart of San Mateo County government Thursday, June 12, 2008 to oppose proposed cuts to county and state funding that threaten the well-being of the community.

County workers who are members of SEIU 521 and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees came together to collectively "blow the whistle" – figuratively as well as literally against cuts and outsourcing.

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Photo: San Mateo County Homecare worker Ed Burns speaks at noontime press event Thursday against state budget cuts hurting In-Home Supportive Services.

The May revise on the budget slashes funding to education, healthcare, public safety and other vital services that our community needs,

said Irma Compton, a public services specialist for the county’s planning and building department.

The governor's budget will force hundreds of thousands of children and parents off healthcare, which will result in increased sickness, death, and emergency room costs.

Even though San Mateo County boasts a healthy reserve projected at $209.3 million, the board of supervisors is considering eliminating 19 positions at the San Mateo Medical Center, which is already understaffed with 70 vacant positions. To save $240,000, the county wants to turn to an outside contractor to transport clients.

Thursday's action will be followed next week with a community rally on June 19 at the San Mateo County hospital. Next week's noon event, at 222 W. 39th Ave., San Mateo, promises to be even larger and louder. It will feature workers and consumers most affected by the plan to outsource county jobs.

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