We represent 5,000 Kern County workers.
Are you having a problem at work? Contact your worksite steward first.
Kern County Chief Stewards are listed on the right, under the "Stewards" tab.
Kern County Shop Stewards (full list)
DHS Shop Steward Luncheon
Wednesday, August 26th, 2008 - 12:00 - 1:00 P.M.
The Peppermint Room - 2nd Floor
Sign Up Today!
A general Shop Steward meeting will be held on August 26th, 2008 from 12:00 to 1:00.
We will be discussing any and all issues relating to and impacting D.H.S. Shop Stewards, including:
• Extra Help Employees
• County Contract in 2010
• Employee Morale
• Open Discussion
You will also have the opportunity to meet and speak with your SEIU Local 521 Representative Andre L. Taylor
As food will be served, Please RSVP as soon as possible:
Andre Taylor - Worksite Organizer
(661)-321-4174
Become A Union Steward
Shop Stewards are needed to represent your area. Please consider applying. Being a UNION Steward means that you will be the link between SEIU and the members.
Job Description:
- Seeking permanent employees who are willing to promote fairness, justice, and equality at the worksite by keeping the members informed of their rights.
- Attend shop steward meetings.
- Promote SEIU 521 membership by signing up new employees.
- Participate in SEIU 521 activities and events.
- Get to know the SEIU 521 Staff and learn to work with them to benefit our members.
Shop Steward Nomination Petitions:
For Kern County
For Department of Human Services
For Kern Medical Center
Please complete and return petition to SEIU 521:
1001 17th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Phone: (661) 321-4169 - Fax: (661) 325-7814
Additional Equity Salary Adjustments Approved!
On Tuesday, June 24, the Board of Supervisors approved the additional equity salary adjustments for those classifications that were not studied during the original contract negotiations. The study was originally scheduled to be completed in February, but do to staffing problems within the CAO's office and the volume of work to be completed; they have just now been finished. The salary adjustments will become effective retroactive to February 2, 2008.
As you can see by the Administrative report to the Board of Supervisors, the estimated cost for this fiscal year will be $1 million. For the full year in 2008 – 2009 fiscal year the cost will be $2.4 million. Much of this cost will be paid through State, Federal, or special funding, rather than the general fund.
See attached the Admin. Report and list of classifications.
Salary Adjustments Are Due In July!!!
July 05, 2008 - Beginning on the first day of the payroll period staring July 05, 2008, the base salary for all represented classes will increase by 4%.
July 11, 2009 - Beginning on the first day of the payroll period starting July 11, 2009, the base salary for all represented classes will increase by 4%.
With questions or comments or for more information, please contact your local shop steward or your local 521 worksite organizer Ernest Harris at (661) 321-4169 or ernest.harris@seiu521.org.
California Board of Registered Nurses in Bakersfield
Attention All Nurses!
The California Board of Registered Nurses is Coming to Bakersfield!
September 17, 2008, 9:00 AM - September 18, 2008, 3:00 PM
Doubletree Hotel, 3100 Camino Del Rio Court, Bakersfield, CA
Please contact Ernest Harris for more information at ernest.harris@seiu521.org or (661) 321 - 4169.
Uniform Issue Update for Kern Medical Center
Your employee representative team is in the process of meet-and-confer bargaining regarding the dress code issue. Nothing has been finalized, and you are under no obligation to purchase any specific uniforms. Your team will notify you of the findings. For more information, read the flyer:
Kern County Medical Center uniform issue
Contract Meeting: Know Your Contract
Do you have questions about your Union contract and Union rights? Concerns about how the California State budget deficit could affect your clients and services? Attend this informational meeting with your new Local 521 staff representative.
May 29, 2008 - 6 to 8:30 p.m.
John's Pizza Parlor, 348 W. Ridgecrest Blvd.
RSVP to Andre L. Taylor (661) 321-4174 or andre.taylor@seiu521.org. Food & drinks will be provided.
Equity Adjustments Decision Delayed One Week
May 6, 2008 - As previously reported, the County Administrative Office - with substantial input and cooperation from your Union representatives - completed its initial draft recommendations for the 90-day equity studies. Last week, the Administrative office reported to the Board of Supervisors in executive session and the Board requested additional information and/or clarification.
We had hoped to have an offer coming from the County following the May 6 Board meeting. Due to the fact that only three members of the Board of Supervisors were in attendance at the May 6 meeting, the issue was delayed.
We look forward to an offer from the County following next week's Board of Supervisor's meeting on May 13.
New Kern County Healthcare Options
State of the County is Good!
Several of our County and Extra Help Bargaining Team members attended the State of the County dinner and address by Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Michael Rubio on January 28, 2008. During the dinner, extra help team members Skye Phinney and Kim Barry listened while Supervisor Rubio talked about protecting funding for Kern Medical Center and providing health care coverage for local children.
No mention was made of providing health care coverage to Kern County extra help employees. Rubio talked about the looming storm of financial challenges and things to look forward to. He also discussed the accumulation of the County's largest financial reserves ever!
Let's tell the Board of Supervisors to put some of that money toward the health and welfare of extra help workers. Let's stand together to demand that dedicated extra help workers are treated fairly
Circulate the petition below and return to your shop steward or Union office at 1001 17th Street in Bakersfield.
Petition: Standing Together
Extra Help Bargaining Team members
Skye Phinney and Kim Barry Bob Jefferson Wins Seat on Kern Retirement Board
Our candidate for the Kern County Employees' Retirement Association, Bob Jefferson , won by a significant margin in the November vote. Jefferson received 484 votes vs. his closest competitor's 345. Results were announced November 27 and Bob was introduced as our newest Retirement Board representative at the member party held at the North of the River Veteran's Hall that evening.
"I thank all of those who helped with my campaign and look forward to giving employees a real voice in protecting our pensions and restoring a feeling of confidence in the board," Bob says. "I will keep my promise of holding KCERA accountable for proper managment of our retirement funds."
See more pictures >>
October 17, 2007 -- Our Bargaining Team and the County signed the ratified agreement today. Click here for more information and a printable flyer.
Kern County Members Approve 3-Year Contract
Equity and 4% across-the-board pay increases retroactive to July 7 and 12% County contribution to hybrid retirement plan included for nearly 6,000 employees
September 8, 2007 – BAKERSFIELD, CA – Approximately 79 percent of voting members of the SEIU Local 521 Kern County Chapter voted to approve a contract with the County that includes one-time equity pay increases of up to 39 percent or a 12 percent increase over three years for those job classifications not receiving equity increases.
The agreement also states that members will receive 2007 increases retroactive to July 7, the start of the first pay period following expiration of the last contract, and the County will contribute up to 12 percent of the employee’s base salary to a 457k retirement plan. This will be combined with a reduced defined-benefit pension plan.
The vote came just two weeks after Local 521 members rejected the County’s “last, best and final” offer and authorized the Union to call a strike.
"With the help of a Federal mediator, the Bargaining Team and County were able to come up with an agreement that our members overwhelmingly support," says Arlene Ramos-Aninion , a member of the Bargaining Team representing Clerical workers. "Our Union can now build on this success to ensure that we never again have to accept a 2 percent pay increase for four years of work.”
Member voting took place over three days, including roving ballot boxes that traveled to Delano , Shafter, Taft, Frazier Park, Lamont, Tehachapi, Mojave, Ridgecrest and Lake Isabella .
"We have been very impressed with member turnout over these three votes," says Chuck Waide , Local 521 Regional Director and Chief Negotiator, referring to the strike sanction, strike and ratification votes. “Our members are more active than ever, and this contract shows what members can do when they are united.”
To view the full agreement, click on Ratified Agreement September 2007 on the right-hand side of this page under “Contracts.”
Show solidarity. Wear your purple and gold ribbon every Thursday and purple clothing every Friday.
Kern County Negotiating Team
SEIU Contact List