City of Bakersfield Workers Approve Delaying Raises
Sacrifice by Workers Will Help Preserve City Services
Read the press release, Apr. 22 

Raises delayed to save [Bakersfield] city jobs
Source: Bakersfield.com, Apr. 22


Recession finally catches up to city operations
Source: The Bakersfield Californian, March 6



Bakersfield Council Set to Attack Pensions
Members Speak Up Against Attack on Our Pensions
Feb. 10, 2010 - SEIU 521 members spoke up Wednesday against an ill-conceived proposal to use the ballot box to undermine our contracts. 

Post your comments in the 521 Pension Blog.


Bakersfield voters to choose pension outcome?
Post your comments in the 521 Pension Blog.


Bakersfield.com, Jan. 30, 2010

- Reduced retirement pension proposed for new Bakersfield city workers
KGET, Feb. 4

- Government roundup: City union refuses to open contract
The Bakersfield Californian, Feb. 4


Bakersfield Stewards Hear Tough Forecast from Tandy
Jan. 29 - The City of Bakersfield will ask its SEIU 521 members to give up the 2 percent raise their contract entitles them.

In a meeting on Friday, Jan. 29, City Manager Alan Tandy told SEIU shop stewards about the request, which will come later this year through a formal bargaining process.



Photo: Bakersfield shop stewards listen to City Manager Alan Tandy talk about planned cuts to next year's budget.
The city needs to cut $8.7 million from its budget for the next fiscal year, Tandy said. That's before the Legislature takes any action, which could worsen the city's picture.

"If we can't talk you out of (the raise), we will have to add $850,000 to the $8.7 million," he said.

Tandy also said he would ask for modification of the bumping rules in the contract.

Tandy highlighted cuts that management has already made. The city is not hiring replacements for its HR director, water resources director, development services director, assistant police chief, deputy fire chief or deputy city clerk, instead having existing managers do two jobs, he said.

SEIU workers already delayed one raise last year, in exchange for a one-year contract extension.

But when it comes to budget time and department heads have to come up with cuts, there is little to cut but people, he said.

Cutting little things like office supplies was already done last year, he said, although the city will still be looking for savings that don't result in cuts.

Some departments just can't be cut any more, he said. The city is down to two people to maintain its 15,000 street lights, and just four people to maintain the traffic signals.

The meeting came just 36 hours after members of the city council announced plans to subvert the contract process with a ballot measure that would slash pension benefits for new employees. Tandy acknowledged that SEIU 521 members have already agreed to pension cuts in the last contract.

"You all did make an accommodation on that, and we appreciate that," he said.

Tandy agreed to meet with the general membership to talk about the budget and its impact in the near future.

The stewards will meet Monday, Feb. 1 at 5:30 p.m. at the SEIU 521 office in Bakersfield.

"Mr. Tandy presented a candid picture of the current economic situation. Union stewards will be reviewing the issues at hand and making recommendations to keep being a competetive labor force in the community."
– John Patterson, fire maintenance/chief blue collar shop steward, City of Bakersfield


Information for Shop Stewards from the City of Bakersfield
Next Quaterly Shop Steward Meetings
Monday, May 3
Monday, August 2
Monday, November 1
Meetings held at SEIU Local 521 Bakersfield, CA from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. RSVP at 661.321.4161.

Shop Steward Trainings
Sign up online now or RSVP at 661.321.4161 (or Ernest Harris:  661.321-4169, ernest.harris@seiu521.org)

 Flyer: Shop Steward Meetings and Trainings - 2010


 

Chapter Chair: Billy Owens
Committee Members
Insurance Representatives
Blue Collar: John Patterson
White Collar: Mike Mullins (345-9936)

Safety Committee
Blue Collar: Jim Brown
White Collar: Billy Owens

Claims Committee: Earl Poe

Bargaining Team Members
Gary Champlin, Build. Insp. 326-3675
John Flores, Public Works
Mike Gearhart, General Services
Tiffany Horton, IT (GIS) 326-3573
Debra Ogle, Police Support 326-3903
John Patterson, Fire (661) 631-9204   
Jason Suchin, Street Maintenance 326-3111
Richard Watkins, Wastewater Plant 832-2851
John Williams, Signing, 326-3154 

Bargaining Updates Archive