We represent 1,375 Tulare County (formerly Local 700) and 775 Tulare County (formerly 535) workers.
Having a problem at work? Contact your worksite steward first (on the right, under the steward tab).
Localwide elections - Don't forget to vote!
2010-2012 Chapter Officers
Chapter President – Greg Gomez, IT Database Administrator
Vice President Unit 1 – Dianne Evans, Clerk
Vice President Unit 4 - Betty Tonini, Mental Health Case Manager
Vice President Units 3 & 6 – Vacant
Vice President Unit 7 – Anthony Cardona, IT Business Analyst
Secretary-Treasurer – Mark Araiza, Child Support Officer
Stewards are listed under the "stewards" tab on the top right.
Tulare County Chapter Internal Organizers:
Yvonne Cruz
Gerry Villero
Meetings & Events
- Cesar Chavez Celebration in Visalia
March 27 - 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- General Membership Meetings
Every 2nd Thursday - 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
SEIU Local 521 Office, 1811 W. Sunnyside Ave., Visalia
Next meetings:
Thursday, March 11, 2010, 6:00 PM
SEIU Local 521 Office, 1811 W. Sunnyside Ave., Visalia
OR:
Monday, March 15 - 6:00 PM
Porterville Library, 41 W. Thurman, Porterville
Agenda:
- President Report
- IWO Report
- Shop Steward Report
- Get to Know Your Contract
- Weingarten Rights
- Political: Endorsements; Campaign
- Political/COPE Meeting
Every 3rd Wednesday - 6:00 p.m.
SEIU Local 521 Office, 1811 W. Sunnyside Ave. Visalia
- Invest in Tulare County Coalition Meeting
4th Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.
Monthly meeting of a community coalition that SEIU founded to improve health care options for working families in Tulare County.
Email: Adam Urrutia at
adam.urrutia@seiu521.org
SEIU Local 521 Office, 1811 W. Sunnyside Ave. Visalia
For more events and meetings, look up in the right column, under the "EVENTS" tab.
Tulare County Newsletter:
February 2010
In this issue:
- The time for healthcare reform is now
- Voluntary time off
- January Jewels by Linda Shockley, Former President of SEIU Local 521, Tulare County Chapter
- From the desk of Chapter President Greg Gomez
- State Senate and Assembly battles loom large
- 2010 officers ballot count on Feb. 19 at 4 p.m. at your union office
- Dianne Evans, Shop Steward
- Latino Caucus
- Chapter Officers
- Mark your calendar
December 2009
July-August 2009
June 2009
Historic vote for SEIU 521 brings new bylaws and dues
Click here for more information
Also in this flyer:
Arbitrator orders Natividad Medical Center to follow progressive discipline
Statewide Action to Protect Child Welfare Services
Visalia, CA - Advocates Call For Reversal of Gov.'s Cuts to Child Welfare
Read More »
Tulare County Members Approve 2-Year Contract
Negotiated Agreement Will Minimize Layoffs
July 31, 2009 -- Approximately 97 percent of voting members of our SEIU Local 521 Tulare County Chapter voted to approve a contract with the County that includes provisions for 40 hours of unpaid furlough time each year. The furloughs are intended to allow Tulare County management to compensate for the current economic climate and avoid the use of layoffs to close budget shortfalls.
The agreement gives members non-monetary benefits such as an increase in the number of stewards, increase in release time for stewards, and increase in the number of members on the County Health Committee.
The new contract also includes:
- 1-year re-opener in July 2010
- Ability to use 40 hours of furlough immediately for employees to schedule as they wish as long as time off is approved by supervisor.
- Suspension of step increases and sick leave buyback for two years in order to save jobs.
- Verbal commitment to reclassify the clerk classification series to office assistants, creating a career ladder and more opportunities for transfer throughout the County.
The Tulare County Board of Supervisors will vote on the agreement at their regularly scheduled August 11 meeting.
The ratification vote came 10 months after the County imposed its last, best and final offer during contract negotiations in September 2008. Approximately 1,000 Tulare County chapter members staged a one-day Unfair Labor Practice Strike in October 2008.
"We have sacrificed a lot for this contract for the good of everyone. We are showing that in solidarity we can survive this country’s economic crisis! TOGETHER we can make a difference and make a better life for all workers and our families. It was a privilege negotiating for Tulare County employees."
- Anthony Cardona, Tulare County IT Business Analyst, Bargaining Team Member, Shop Steward
Tulare County MOU
All addendums now included in the MOU document above.
Tentative Agreement Reached
July 23, 2009 - Our Bargaining Team reached a tentative agreement with
Tulare County for a two-year contract that expires July 31, 2011. While the agreement would not include raises for the next two years, several elements negotiated will minimize layoffs. If passed by the membership, the contract will include:
- 2-year contract (MOU);
- Re-opener in 1-year (July 2010);
- Five (5) furlough days (40 hours) each year for two years in order to minimize layoffs;
- Suspend step increases and sick leave buyback for two years in order to save jobs,
and more...
Click here for a summary
"This is OUR contract, not a contract imposed on us. With this contract, we can bring unity to all bargaining units that Local 521 represents. We're no longer divided into two locals and we've saved our coworkers' jobs and their livelihoods."
- Greg Gomez, Database Administrator, Chapter Acting Vice President & Local 521 Executive Board Member
HARD TIMES - STRONGER TOGETHER
A big THANK YOU to our Bargaining Team members: Linda Shockley, Greg Gomez, Mark Araiza, Janet Baker, Anthony Cardona, Dianne Evans, Pam Green, Gilbert Oros, Celestina Sosa, Ryan Wilson
Your Bargaining Team recommends a YES vote to ratify this tentative agreement.
Ballots will be counted Thursday, July 30th beginning at 8:00 p.m. after the meeting in Tulare at the Hampton Inn located at 1100 N. Cherry St., Tulare.
Important Membership Meetings - Cast your vote on the tentative agreement.
Thursday, July 30
- 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- - Child Support, 8040 Doe Avenue, Visalia
- - Visalia District Office, 1845 N. Dinuba, Visalia
- 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Hampton Inn, 1100 N. Cherry St., Tulare
ONLY MEMBERS VOTE--NON MEMBERS MAY JOIN AT TIME OF VOTING.
Contract Negotiations to Begin Again
Save the Date:
The next General Membership Meeting is September 8.
Our bargaining team will return to negotiations with the County beginning June 22. Last September, the County improperly cut off negotiations without considering a counter-offer we had made and then imposed their last, best and final offer on us.
At the June 9 General Membership meeting, Tulare County Chapter Bylaws were unanimously approved by those voting. Now we will go about setting elections for Chapter officers, which will likely happen in September. The Chapter executive board has established an Elections Committee. If you would like to participate, contact your worksite organizer.
Tulare County Worksite Organizers:
Janice Romero-Nielsen
Units 3 & 4: (559) 635-3722
Elaine Carter
Units 1, 6, & 7: (559) 635-3721
"It's time to regroup and start the battle again. Rome was not built in a day. Nor will we make SEIU Local 521 into the Union we want it to be, in a day."
- Linda Shockley, Chapter President, Child Support Services
Click here for more quotes and more information.
Tulare County Coalition Fights for a Better Budget
For photos and more information: www.InvestInTulareCounty.org
Members Ratified Chapter Bylaws
Tulare County members ratified the chapter bylaws at the June 9 General Membership Meeting.
Bylaws are rules that are adopted by an organization for the government of its members and the regulation of its affairs. These Bylaws must be approved through a secret ballot vote by the Local 521 members who work for Tulare County.
After the Bylaws are adopted by the membership, then the nominating and election process for Chapter officers will begin. The proposed Bylaws outline the process for the election of Chapter officers, Board, and shop stewards.
Tulare County Bylaws
Tulare County Agency Shop agreement
Agency Shop Agreement, April 2009
This agreement is for Tulare County Units 1, 3, 6 & 7 (one contract) and Tulare County Unit 4.
Steward Training
Press Release
PERB Finds Tulare County Did Not Bargain in Good Faith with Employees
The Public Employment Relations Board has determined that Tulare County administration threatened employees who exercised their right to strike and did not bargain in good faith...
Read More
In the Press
- State agency to look at county labor dispute, VisaliaTimes-Delta, Feb. 4, 2009
- Board of Supervisors criticized for pay-raise vote, VisaliaTimes-Delta, Jan. 23, 2009
- Supervisors Get Pay Raise As Layoffs Continue, KMPH Fox 26, Jan. 23, 2009 - Watch video
- Supervisors quietly grant own pay raise, VisaliaTimes-Delta, Jan. 22, 2009
- Supervisors asked to approve layoff terms, VisaliaTimes-Delta, Jan. 22, 2009
- County health clinics will stay open, VisaliaTimes-Delta, Jan. 14, 2009
- Tulare Co. to lay off 200 health agency workers, Fresno Bee, Jan. 13, 2009
- Major job cuts in Tulare County to hit health care, KSEE 24 News, Jan. 13, 2009
- Union will ask for delay in county clinics' closure, VisaliaTimes-Delta, Jan. 13, 2009
- Tulare County May Close Health Clinics, VisaliaTimes-Delta, Dec. 30, 2008
- Health workers May Be Laid Off, Fresno Bee, Dec. 29, 2008
Tulare County Radio Ad
Tulare County Workers Win Agency Shop, Call on County to Reconsider Cutbacks
The Agency Shop ballot count was conducted at the County Administrative Office in downtown Visalia on December 29, 2008, with members of County Management, State Mediation and Union staff tabulating votes for 3 hours.
Tulare County workers won Agency Shop in Bargaining Units 3 and 4, unifying nearly 1,200 employees, while Bargaining Units 1 and 6 lost by narrow margins.
The vote comes in the wake of County proposals to reduce staffing levels and close two health clinics.
"Knowing that our union is more secure during these turbulent times is reasssuring. Right now, it's important that we have the unified voice and strength to protect Tulare's critical services." Richard Kelsey, Bargaining Unit 4
The closure of two health clinics will impact and displace a number of health care workers and slash health service options for Tulare County residents. Union officials and County workers have met with County Management to discuss the proposed cutbacks in greater detail.
County workers and residents will be attending the January 13th Board of Supervisors meeting to request a delay on a final decision to reduce county services and health facility closures.
For information on the upcoming Board of Supervisors meeting, please contact the Union Office at (559) 635-3723.
Members Fight Service Cuts
Our Union, SEIU Local 521, is putting together a team of staff and members to meet with County Administration in early January to discuss the County's plan to lay off up to 300 Tulare County Health and Human Services employees who privide vital services. In conjunction with the layoffs, the County plans to close already overcrowded health clinics in Tulare and Lindsay, further limiting health care options for area residents. The County already shut down clinics in Porterville and Dinuba in 2007, increasing the the number of patients at the Lindsay Health Center now slated for closure.
This further degrades the County's ability to provide the level and quality of health services that residents depend on.
If the County eliminates positions in the area of child protection, local children could be at risk since employees in that department already have dangerously high caseloads due to already high turnover and lack of trained staff. A research study by SEIU Local 521 outlines many areas within Tulare County that were already suffering due to the County's lack of ability to recruit and retain trained staff.
Administration plans to ask the Board of Supervisors for its approval of the layoffs at its January 13th meeting.
We hope to work with County Adminstration to find creative options other than layoffs to the budget shortfall. SEIU Local 521 has also been lobbying the State Legislature for months to minimize cuts to counties and public services.
Letter from Jean M. Rousseau, Dec. 29, 2008
Newsletter
We've started a newsletter for Tulare County employees. Read our first issue by clicking the link below.
Working Together For Tulare County Issue 1
Black Caucus Expresses Solidarity with Tulare County Employees at Allensworth Observance
Contract dispute called "a matter of equity"
Read the press release, October 10, 2008
Our United Presence is Everywhere!
Our Union made a statement at the HHSA in-service day Thursday, October 30 at the Visalia Convention Center. Members wore purple, signed letters to the Board of Supervisors and left phone messages asking the Board of Supervisors to come back to the bargaining table. And the icing on the cupcakes being handed out to all said, "B Fair."
Click here to view additional photos >>
Several managers approached members and staff to say that we sent a strong message with our presence at the event.
Hundreds of letters were signed by members that will be mailed to the homes of Board of Supervisors and hand-delivered at an upcoming Board meeting. And, about 2,000 yellow and purple "Contract Now" stickers were handed out and stuck to members' shirts and name badges.
The letter being mailed to Board members begins: "I am writing to you to urge you to go back to the table and bargain in good faith with our bargaining team. The employees of Tulare County love what they do, and they only wish to be compensated for it fairly. It is unfair that higher management gets more money toward their healthcare costs and gets to pocket any money remaining from that. It is unfair that managers get higher and more regular wage increases than those below them because the ones on the bottom do most of the work."
Our Union rented the lone room available in the Convention Center so that members could let management know we will not stop until the County comes back to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair contract.
It was a great day to be a Union member!
Historic Strike Hits Tulare County
Tulare County government came to a standstill as more than 1,000 county workers waged an unprecedented one-day strike Wednesday, Oct. 8, to say we will accept nothing less than a fair contract and livable wages.
>> Read more
Strike Solidarity Victory
Local 521 files Unfair Labor Practice charge Against Tulare County for Failure to Bargain in Good Faith
Unfair Practice Charge, October 6, 2008
Sept. 23 CAT Meeting
Our strike date has not been set, but the CATs set up three committees that will begin mobilizing members in preparation for the strike.
Members already authorized a strike and they will be notified with as much advance notice as possible without jeopardizing the element of surprise to county management.
The committees that are currently working on strike-related activities are:
Community/Political Outreach
This committee will be contacting politicians such as assembly members and city council members, church leaders, and business leaders to ask them to support us in our fight for a fair contract.
Picket Captains
These members will formulate plans to lead picket lines, direct employees to the proper picket line, lead chants and inform members of their legal rights before, during and after striking.
Unity Action Committee
The Contract Action Team leaders will orchestrate actions like wearing purple every Wednesday, sticker actions like the current "We Care! So Be Fair!," creating signs for members to put in their cars, and setting up a picket sign making party at the Union office.
"A Crisis in Tulare..." Report
"This report provides ample evidence that the county can demonstrate its leadership role by improving funding for public services and by paying equitable wages and benefits. By continuing to undervalue public services and its employees, the county risks having a safety net that is becoming frayed and broken, due to high turnover and excessive low morale."
Read the report:
The Impact of Tulare County Policies and the Threat to Vital Public Services, Jobs, and the Community
Now is the time to Unite & Speak With One United Voice!
We deserve respect! We care for our community!
Just because the Board imposed their unfair contract on us does not mean we're at the end of our options. Now is the time to Unite!
Please read this flyer for more information:
Tulare Co. Unite!
From now until we get a FAIR contract, the CATs will be meeting every Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. to strategize and communicate.
This is where you will receive flyers and information to take to your team members, so make sure you are there every week! It's important everyone is informed and on board.
WHEN: Every Wednesday, 5:30 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
WHERE: Visalia Veteran's Memorial Hall, 609 Center Street, Visalia, CA
Tulare Co. Supervisors Impose Last, Best & Final
Tulare County supervisors again ignored chronic problems caused by poor employee pay and benefits. They voted to impose the County's last, best and final offer. County employees represented by SEIU Local 521 previously voted to authorize the Bargaining Team to call a strike. The team will meet with Contract Action Team leaders next Tuesday, Sept. 23 to discuss strike plans.
» Read more
Mediation a Dismal Failure
COUNTY HAD NO INTENTION OF COMING TO AGREEMENT
With a helpless mediator looking on, Tulare County officials this week turned down efforts for a fair contract agreement.
But we're not done. We will be at the next Board of Supervisors meeting, 9/16, to present our proposal to elected leaders. The Board needs to reject the county's "last best and final offer," because it offers members NOTHING.
For those unable to attend, listen to the meeting LIVE by going to: www.co.tulare.ca.us/government/ Click on Board of Supervisors page, and look for Live Board Meetings link.
For more information, read the flyer
Tulare County Mediation Flyer
Have you joined yet? Sign Up Now!
- Show the county we want to be paid fairly and we want them to respect us and our bargaining team members.
- Ask your steward or organizer for a membership application today.
- Sign the strike and agency shop petitions.
Stronger Together!
IF YOU HAVE NOT already signed up, please contact a CAT, Bargaining Team Member, Organizer or the Visalia Union Office at (559) 635-3720.
Going on Strike
Questions and Answers
Tulare County Leaders, Listen Up! 
Tulare workers are sending a clear message to the Board of Supervisors and County leadership: We deserve respect. With the largest turnout in Tulare County Chapter history and in a display of solidarity and strength, a staggering 98% voted to authorize a strike.
>> Read more
>> Press Release
Weekly Bargaining Update
Linda Glenn,
Bargaining Team |
August 13, 2008 - This week in bargaining, we countered the county's proposal of a 2.75% salary increase with a proposal of 8% across-the-board salary increases and a 6th pay step to all job classifications. In addition, we proposed that the county conduct a benchmark salary classification study to compare our salaries to those of workers in other counties. |
We also proposed that the county pay up to $460 dollars per pay period toward the cost of the health care plans. For those employees that choose to opt out of this benefit, they will receive either the amount of $460 per pay period or the current amount that they receive, whichever is higher.
The county rejected our proposals and we moved to
impasse. This means that a
mediator will be assigned to try and help us reach an agreement.
The Bargaining Team believes that we can do better than 2.75%, but we will have to decide how much we are willing to do to get equitable wages and affordable health care.
To see a full comparison of the County and Union proposals, see
page 2 of this flyer.
Right now we have radio spots on KMJ radio running through August 16 and we are preparing to release a detailed report called a "white paper", which investigates Tulare County's employment practices and fiscal health.
We are incredibly close to filing for our Agency Shop Election. If you have not signed it, please contact a CAT, Bargaining Team Member, or Organizer. By winning agency shop, we send a clear message to County leadership that we are a strong, unified union, fighting for comprehensive and equitable wages and health care.
Informational Picket 
Overworked and understaffed, Tulare County workers gathered at 10 locations across the county on Tuesday, August 5, to educate the community on the importance of the services delivered by one of the most under compensated public workforces in the state.
» Read more
Weekly Bargaining Update
Margie Renfro,
Bargaining Team
Unit 1 |
July 30, 2008 - This week in negotiations, the Bargaining Team submitted revised proposals on health care and wages.
The health care proposal remained the same, with the exception of adding a section pertaining to new employees, requiring them to participate in the county health care plan. Our proposal also protects current employees who opt-out, so they will not lose any money. We feel strongly about our proposal, which asks for the employer to pay 100% for single coverage and 50% for single dependent and family coverage. |
We also submitted an economic proposal that would bring us up to speed with comparable counties, asking for a 1 year contract that provides a 10% increase in wages across the board. In addition, we proposed a Step 6 be added to all job classifications and a salary equity study that would be part of negotiations in future contracts. An equity study would bring us back to the bargaining table in 8 months, comparing our county with similar counties, and finally giving us the measuring stick we need to show how underpaid we really are in comparison to the rest of the state.
The county has yet to budge on its economic proposals. We feel that our new proposals are reasonable and that it is time for management to work with us in the coming weeks to make this contract happen. Tulare County workers simply cannot live off of 2.5% or costly health care plans, and we will continue to lose more exceptional employees the longer we are left behind.
On August 5th, we will be having a county-wide Informational Picket. Come join your co-workers and let the community know that our hard work and public services are important to the quality of life in Tulare County.
For more information about negotiations or the Informational Picket, please contact your Organizer, CAT or Bargaining Team member.
Linda Shockley
Bargaining Team
Unit 3 |
July 24, 2008 - Following the successful county-wide unity breaks that took place on July 23rd, the county changed its tune in bargaining with a new proposal that would add more money towards making health insurance more affordable for dependent and family coverage.
A quick summary comparison of our union bargaining team’s proposal versus the county's new proposal is provided in the attached flyer. |
Tulare Bargaining Update 07/24/2008
In addition to working towards a health care proposal that benefits all Tulare County employees, we also won union steward recognition. However, the county's current economic proposal remains unacceptable. This is why all union members need to sign the agency shop petition for a permanent union and to also attend the August 5th informational picket to push county administration to provide an acceptable economic package. For more information about negotiations or upcoming unity events, please contact your Organizer, CAT or Bargaining Team member.
Weekly Bargaining Updates
Rob Milner,
Bargaining Team
Unit 3 |
July 17, 2008 - After a week off from bargaining, we resumed negotiations on Wednesday with the County and discussed a myriad of non-economic issues.
We reached a tentative agreement with the County on a Contracting Out policy, in which the employer will issue a 10 day notice to employees prior to hiring contractors for internal positions.
This is a very important policy, because it gives us an opportunity to protect our jobs and to address issues with management.
The Bargaining Team stood united in rejecting the county's last health insurance proposal that would be funded on the backs of employees. |
In order to reach a settlement on a more affordable health insurance program, the bargaining proposed the following:
- 100% individual Coverage
- 50% dependent coverage
- Existing employees keep their current opt out benefit levels
- Future New hires opting out will receive $41.67 per pay period
We continue to work hard to come to an agreement with management that is on par with surrounding counties. It is more important than ever to maintain a strong sense of unity and to let management know that we continue to support each other and our proposals.
The Bargaining Team encourages everyone to be active, and to participate in the upcoming Unity Break event on July 22nd at your worksite. For more information on this event, please contact your Organizer, CAT or the Union Office.
 Greg Gomez
Bargaining Team
Unit 7 |
July 2, 2008 - Our rally at the Tulare Courthouse on June 26th was a hugesuccess! As a result, management has made a change in itsposition on health care, finally acknowledging that the current system is unfair.The current system has the lowest paid employees paying the most for health insurance while director's pay nothing.
We made progress this week in bargaining, with management realizing that the burden on lower paid employees who need health insurance is too great.
|
However, management's health care proposal this week was still off the mark. Rather than increasing the county contribution to employee health care, management wants to shift money from those who opt out to the ones who have to pay the most...
This is a move in the right direction, but the proposal is not acceptable. It's time for the county to agree to our proposal that the employer pay all of the contribution for single coverage and 80% of the contribution for family coverage. Employees from surrounding counties receive similar contributions from their employers, its only reasonable for us to expect the same.
Our contract has expired, and we continue to work towards a new agreement that will benefit all of us. Membership is at an all time high, and now the county has heard us collectively speak out about poor decisions and a lack of investment in the county workforce.
For more information on bargaining or how you can help out, please contact a CAT, Bargaining Team member, or an Organizer.
Fired Up: More than 700 Tulare County Workers Rally at Courthouse to Speak Out Against Poor Decisions Made by County Leadership
A record setting crowd of more than 700 County workers gathered together on Thursday, June 26th at the Tulare County Courthouse on 221 South Mooney Blvd. to collectively speak out about the escalating issues threatening the county.
» Read more
Weekly Bargaining Update - June 18, 2008
Katherine DeYoung
Bargaining Team
Unit 6 |
This week in bargaining, we finally made progress on salary increases, with management moving its original wage offer of 0% to 2.5%!
This is positive news as we head into the final weeks of bargaining, because it shows us that as our numbers continue to grow, and our solidarity and strength is becoming more apparent to County management.
|
Momentum is on our side. It is time for us to show the County that we are serious about good faith bargaining, and that we receive a compensation package that will benefit all Tulare County employees.
Sign the Unity Petition, which already has over
1,500 signatures from your fellow co-workers, supporting the Bargaining Team and the membership during negotiations.
Don’t forget to join us on
Thursday, June 26th, 5:30 p.m. at the Tulare County
Courthouse for a Unity Rally and March. Hundreds of Tulare County workers will be in attendance to show the Board of Supervisors and Management that our concerns will not go unheard!
To join, please contact an Organizer, a CAT, a Bargaining Team member or call the office at: (559) 635–3720.
Tulare Co. Workers Submit Petition to Board for Fair Contract 
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.
» Read article
» Read press release
Health Care Plan
Become a member so we can secure a fair health care plan that saves money and protects the well-being of our workers and their families.
For more information, read the flyer:
Tulare County Employees Health Care
Weekly Bargaining Update - June 10, 2008
Steven Lloyd
Bargaining Team
Unit 4 |
This week in bargaining, we continued to make progress with management on disciplinary and grievance procedures. However, the county maintained its position on the one-year 0% economic proposal. With our contract expiring on June 30th, we still have a great deal of work to accomplish.
The Bargaining Team encourages all workers to be ready to show our strength and unity in the coming weeks. The Bargaining Team wants to thank everyone for signing the Unity Petition. The 1,405 signatures on the petition reminds the Bargaining Team that we have the support of the workers during contract negotiations. |
To join, please contact an Organizer, a CAT, a Bargaining Team member or call the office at: (559) 635–3720.
Weekly Bargaining Update June 4, 2008
Bargaining was cancelled this week due to a death in the family of the Chief Negotiator. The next bargaining session will be Monday June 9, 2008.
Weekly Bargaining Update - May 29, 2008
Lupe Vigil
Bargaining Team
Unit 1 |
This week in bargaining, the County submitted its first economic proposal to the Bargaining Team, offering 0% for wage increases and adding a mere $12.50 per pay period for health insurance costs…
The Bargaining Team is extremely insulted by this proposal. We have worked hard to develop a fair and equitable economic package that improves the lives of Tulare County workers and would put the County on par with other counties. |
A few weeks ago, the Bargaining Team submitted the following proposal:
*10% Annual Wage increase for 3 years*
*County Health Care Contributions*
100% for Single Coverage
80% for Family Coverage
The County is in good financial standing and has the resources to give workers the compensation and benefits that we have proposed. Our membership has reached 43% and still continues to grow. With bargaining heading into June, it is more important than ever to show management that we stand strong together.
The Bargaining Team encourages everyone to sign the Unity Petition that supports our goals during this contract. Contact a CAT, Bargaining Team member or an Organizer to find out how you can help us win a fair contract. The County is in good financial standing and has the resources to give workers the compensation and benefits that we have proposed. and still continues to grow. With bargaining heading into June, it is more important than ever to show management that we The Bargaining Team encourages everyone to sign the Unity Petition that supports our goals during this contract. Contact a CAT, Bargaining Team member or an Organizer to find out how you can help us win a fair contract.
Weekly Bargaining Update - May 23, 2008
Richard Kelsey
Bargaining Team
Unit 4 |
This week in bargaining, we continued discussions on grievance and disciplinary procedures.
Five weeks of bargaining remain before our contract expires, and it is important to finalize these non-economic issues first so we can focus on the economic proposals.
We submitted our economic proposal last week and anticipate a response from the County within the next few bargaining sessions.
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Membership continues to grow, and our impact at the bargaining table is directly affected by your participation and support as a member.
To join, please contact an Organizer, a CAT, a Bargaining Team member or call the office at: (559) 635–3720.
Working for Our Union in Tulare County
Local 521 recently opened an office in Visalia to organize workers in the Central Valley. I had the opportunity to work with union organizers and staff, as well as other members, to help Tulare County employees build a stronger union.
With union membership at only 10 percent, Tulare County employees for years had settled for low pay and few benefits while counties nearby earned as much as 26 percent more in salary with stronger contracts. SEIU organizers worked with rank-and-file to form Contract Action Teams (CATs) and together, we successfully grew the union to 40 percent membership!
I visited county employees to get the word out about the tools available to them when they became members. I heard sad stories of how some county employees had children with no health insurance because the costs were too high. Good county workers should have enough take-home pay to cover basic housing, food and medical necessities!
We had a CAT meeting for Tulare County employees on May 7 and discussed ways to increase membership to 60 percent and more. It was thrilling to witness the increasing empowerment of Tulare County employees to bring better wages and benefits for themselves and their families.
You can read about the progress of Tulare County workers as they near the beginning of negotiations for a new contract by clicking the link to the Tulare County worksite page at seiu521.org.
-- Carol Johnson, VMC Steward
Weekly Bargaining Update - May 16, 2008
John Rodriguez
Bargaining Team
Unit 3
|
This week in bargaining, we made our first economic proposal to the employer. The proposal included a 10% cost of living raise for everyone, for each year of the contract. We also proposed that the employer should pay 100% of the health insurance cost for single coverage and 80% for family coverage. We believe this would make our compensation package comparable to surrounding counties. We also presented information to management that points out why the wage increase and health care coverage is needed and that it is affordable to the county. |
This is our initial proposal - we still have 6 weeks of bargaining before our contract expires and the employer has not made an economic proposal.
Our membership has grown over recent months to 41%, but in order to win the best contract, we will need the support of all county employees. A large membership will get us closer to our initial economic proposal.
To join, please contact an Organizer, a CAT, a Bargaining Team member or call the office at: (559) 635–3720.
To Our Co-Workers at Tulare County
Last year we voted to join a new union, SEIU Local 521, so we could bring more resources to Tulare County and unite ourselves with other unions in the Central Valley. As a result, there are several changes to how we will bargain our contract this year. These changes should put us in a position to win our best contract ever.
As a result of these improvements, people are joining our union at record rates. Our membership has tripled over the last few months.
In order to prepare for negotiations, we have tabulated the contract surveys and our priorities are clear.
Read the letter from members of the Contract Action Team and the Bargaining Team.
Ensuring competitives wages
Tulare County is in the midst of a crisis. County employees earn drastically less than our peers in other comparable public agencies in the San Joaquin Valley. Despite the economic growth in Tulare, county employees have been left behind.
Join over 1,100 of your co-workers, become a member, and support our bargaining team as they negotiate a fair contract.
For more information,
read the flyer.
Town Hall Meeting Recap
Tulare County Employees
...strengthening our community
On April 24th, Tulare County Members participated in a Town Hall meeting with candidates running for the Board of Supervisors in the June Election.
Workers from across the county filled the Visalia Memorial Hall to near capacity, challenging the candidates with questions about employee retention, health care costs and low salaries.
Meet Our Bargaining Team
Members elected the following new Bargaining Team members on February 21, 2008. The top two finishers will be lead bargainers for that unit, while third place will be first alternate and fourth place second alternate.
Unit 1
1. Lupe Vigil
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2. Margie Renfro
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Unit 3
1. Robert Milner
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2. Steve Kelley
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3. John Rodriguez
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Unit 4
1. Terry Anderson
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2. Betty Tonini
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3. Steven Lloyd
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4. Richard Kelsey
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Unit 6
1. Janet Baker
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2. Katherine DeYoung
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Unit 7
1. Greg Gomez
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2. Anthony Cardona
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3. Patrick Isherwood
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Contract Action Team Kicks Off Membership Drive
January 17, 2008 -- Nearly a hundred workers from every corner of Tulare County poured in to the Visalia Veteran's Hall this evening to attend our first Contract Action Team (CAT) meeting. The gathering was to gear up for countywide bargaining, which will affect the lives of over 2,700 workers and their families.
What started off with the typical mingling and munching quickly built up into an exciting, upbeat meeting with frequent cheering and clapping by energetic participants. Members ultimately focused on organizing training with role playing to equip the CAT leaders with the right tools to build our union.
By evening's end, nearly 100 CAT leaders strolled out of the hall with newfound confidence, assignments in hand, and the determination to transform our union to make positive change in our contract.