Court Industry Council
Courts Members Lobby Against Bad Budget
Photo on the right: Local 521 courts members take a lunch break on some steps at the Capitol.
February 18, 2009 -- About 30 Local 521 courts members lobbied state legislators on the day they voted to pass a disastrous state budget for 2008-2009. While legislators passed a budget that includes deep cuts to courts, social services and a budget cap, members urged lawmakers to consider the negative consequences.
Members from Monterey County met with various chiefs of staff and legislative aides, and spoke with Assemblyman Ted Lieu, Democratic Assemblyman of the 53rd District.
Kern and Fresno County members also spent the day in Sacramento. They spoke with State Senator Abel Maldonado (Republican, 15th District) and Fresno Superior Court member Irma Nunez was featured on Univision news.
Even when votes don't go our way, our efforts get noticed and make a difference. We're letting our legislators know that we're here for the long-haul and we will fight the good fight for working families.
"Senator Maldonado was very gracious. He changed his vote the next morning and I was ecstatic. I don't know if it had anything to do with us talking to him that day, but I was so happy. We should all take advantage of the open invitation to lobby our state lawmakers."
Irma Nunez
Office Assistant
Fresno County Superior Court
First Court Industry Council Starts Ball Rolling Our first Court Industry Council (CIC) was a big success, and this newsletter is the direct result of several of the subcommittees that were formed. One of the most important things we learned at our first CIC meeting is that we must create lines of communication between court workers throughout our region and the state if we are to be successful in bargaining fair contracts and hold the Administrator of the Court (AOC) accountable.
(Left to Right) Vickie Jaurigui, Bob Elliot, Linda Krolnik, Philip Bret, Susan Just,
Kelly Chambers, Rochelle Hill, Tosca Camille, Ronnie Needham, Juliet Goto,
Alice Lopez, Carey Pearce, Joaquin Alcantar, Kim Palmer, Ferial Yeganagi.
Click on the photo for more photos!
"All the court workers are treated disrespectfully up and down the state," said Luisa Blue, chief of staff for SEIU Local 521. "It's time for the workers to talk to each other."
Members from seven counties briefly described their most current negotiations and how their county pitted workers against each other and claimed to have no money.
Common Themes: * Divide & Conquer
* Intimidation
* Retaliation
We must work together throughout our region and involve the rest of the state in order to overcome these management tactics and stand united.
State Lobbyist Highlights Court Budget Reserves
Our SEIU State Lobbyist Michelle Castro pulled no punches in outlining how the Administrator of the Court and Judicial Council operate. Michelle's "insider" information brought on a slew of ideas from participants.
So, if they say they don't have money due to the state budget – we know that is not true because of the large reserves the Courts and the AOC maintain and because we know they fared better than anyone else in this state budget.
What's Next? 
Three subcommittees came up with plans to increase power among court workers.
If you would like to get involved in the Court Industry Council, please contact your SEIU Local 521 court worksite organizer.
For more information, please read the newsletter:
The Court Reporter - Volume 1, Issue 1 
Photo slideshow of this event We represent court workers in the following counties: Kern
Kings Fresno Mariposa Monterey San Benito San Mateo Santa Clara Santa Cruz Tulare