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Kern County COVID-19 Tentative Agreement Reached!

BREAKING: Tentative Agreement Reached!

After weeks of meeting with County Management around COVID-19 impacts, our co-worker bargaining team is proud to announce that we have come to an agreement on the Kern County Distance Learning Assistance Plan. Member voting on the tentative agreement will begin on Thursday, August 13 at 7 am and conclude on Friday August 14 at 12 pm. Our bargaining team made up of fellow Kern County workers is recommending a YES vote. Pending the results of our membership vote, the tentative agreement will then be voted on by the Kern County Board of Supervisors for approval.

How To Vote

Our membership vote will be conducted completely online. To be eligible to vote on August 13th, you must have a current email and phone number on file, update your contact information by visiting: www.seiu521.org/signup – this can be completed in less than 2 minutes. Only members can vote on the tentative agreement. If you are not a current member or unsure,  sign up to become a member here: www.seiu521.org/membership. This must be completed by Friday, August 7, 2020, at 5pm.  Please note, this agreement is part of our COVID-19 impact negotiations with the County, not contract bargaining which we will be resuming soon. 

Election Details

Start date and time: Thursday, August 13, 7:00 AM

End date and time: Friday, August 14, 12:00 PM

Election Format: Virtual online ballot. Eligible members will receive an email and text message from ELECTION BUDDY to cast one vote to accept or reject the Tentative Agreement. One vote per member.

Highlights from the agreement:

  • There will be no lapse in childcare reimbursement and the technology stipend.  
  •  Childcare reimbursement up to $500 per month for employees who cannot work from home and take care of minor(s) in preschool up to 12th grade, in a public or private school (amount and eligibility depending on how many hours worked at a worksite). 
  • The technology stipend amount increases from $50 to $75 for employees authorized to work from home.  
  • The coverage will be extended until the end of the calendar year of 2020.
  • Employees have the option to receive the childcare or the technology stipend (examples are in the proposal) if working from home or in the office
  • Employees who have no childcare needs will remain eligible to receive the full amount of technology stipend if they are teleworking regardless of the number of hours worked.  
  • Employees and departments are being encouraged to seek temporary flexible work schedules or reduced work schedules in accordance with the County’s policy.

To view the complete tentative agreement, please click here

In unity,

Your Kern County Bargaining Team