2024 Kern County Contract Campaign Central

Rosario Romero, Human Services Supervisor, Dept. Of Human Services

Human Services since Aug. 2001 and a Human services supervisor since 2014. I have been a union member since day one. I was brought up believing in “The Huelga” and “Si Se Puede,” as my mother carried me in her arms as we marched alongside Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, I did not know it then but it all meant something and instilled a voice we all carry and need to let it be heard. I come to you today asking for this opportunity to take a chance on me. Now as an adult woman and mother who has lived her fair share of fights and endeavors, I have learned to be resilient, strong minded, with integrity and yet also empathetic as a woman and mother. For those who do not know me, I’m hear to listen and go forth and be our fighting voice for what we most want and deserve. To fight and be heard loud and proud and to come back with detailed notes and give you all, “the why” that we so desperately never get. Thank you, “Si Se Puede.”

 

 

Genevieve Egana, Librarian I, Library Department 

My name is Genevieve Egana and I’ve been a Kern County employee and SEIU member since 2021. I’m a librarian, which means I work for one of the most underfunded library systems in the state. Like many of you, I know what it’s like to be underpaid, understaffed, and stretched too thin at work. We will never be able to recruit and retain professionals into Kern County without competitive pay and better benefits. I care deeply about my work and the communities served by the libraries, but the County has got to do better in compensating their workers! In the absence of other candidates for my bargaining unit, I hope to bring my own experiences and dedication to serving Kern County communities with me to the bargaining table.

Odilia Camacho, Program Specialists II, Dept. of Employers’ Training Resource

My name is Odilia Araujo de Camacho. I’m a 25-year county employee.

I am running to be a member of the bargaining team because it is my belief that those who negotiate our careers, our lives and well-being and those of our families should be united in a common goal of seeking what is best for their fellow union members.

If I am elected to the bargaining team that goal will be my focus. I am determined to help bring you, my fellow union members, a good and fair contract, a reasonable contract, a contract that we can be proud of; not only for us but for county future workers.

 

 

 

John French, Substance Abuse Disorder Spec. II, Dept. of Behavioral Health

No statement provided.

 

Jazmine Huesca Hernandez, Behavioral Health Recovery Spec. Aide, Dept. Of Behavioral Health

No statement provided.

 

Alexandra Martinez, Engineering Aide II, Dept. Of Public Works

Being an employee from 2019 to today I have worked as an OSA at Child Support Services to becoming an Engineering Aide at Public Works. My goals for this contract are: Recruiting, Retention and Retirement. I want to make it easier for employees currently working for the county to be promoted, including those who are Extra Help, asking HR to look at the current requirements and adjust them to better align with the needed skills for the job, and what are more preferred skills.

Along with a fair COLA this year, I want to also see where else we can get more of our money back. This includes but is not limited to lowering our medical deductions, increasing premium pay, bilingual pay, or even adding more vacation hours. Finally I want us to all have a chance to have a good retirement, after 30 years of service we should get more of our paychecks, especially when we’re going to have to pay for our own medical. If elected to be on the committee I promise to work hard to increase our benefits and give us a fair contract.

Lux Breilein, Sheriff’s Records Specialist, Dept. Of Sheriff-Coroner

 

My name is Lux Breilein and I would like to represent the interests of our members and become more involved with the union. Although I have only been a county employee and a union member for just over a year, I am honest, outspoken, and I believe that my post graduate education in public relations could be beneficial to what I have to offer our bargaining unit. While this is all very new to me, I am eager to learn and apply my skills to advocate for my coworkers by focusing on equity and fairness.

Asha Chandy, Planner II, Dept. Of Public Works

I believe I am the best choice to represent the Administration Budget Unit on the bargaining team because of my core beliefs and my experience. I believe in workers, people, families, education and justice. I believe that our community – from residents to public sector employees – already know what it would take to improve our community. I believe that public sector workers have a huge impact on how our society functions and that public sector employees should not have to struggle to make ends meet. Government agencies should treat us as humans: with respect and loyalty for the important work that we sign up to do.

I am currently a planner in Public Works in the transportation division but prior to this I was the manager at Bike Bakersfield organizing community members to speak at public meetings and participate in the transportation planning processes to identify solutions for roadway safety and active transportation. I have experience canvassing, walking and riding my bike in many communities all over Kern County for different political and social movements. I believe these skills provide me with the means to support and organize employees, seek their input, and better serve the employees of Kern County.

 

Venessa Romero, Departmental Analyst II, Dept. Of Child Support Services

I’m an Analyst at Child Support and an active union steward. Karen Briefer and I fought for a raise for the Departmental Analyst classifications that resulted in the Departmental Analyst I position receiving a 16% raise, Departmental Analyst II 8%, and Supervising Departmental Analyst 8%. I have experience in negotiating directly with the county and know the impact that wording can have on contract execution. During my stewardship, I have consistently encountered vague contract wording that needs to be concise. The main one being Bilingual Pay. What rights we do have shouldn’t be vague enough that they can be loopholed to be worthless. With living costs being raised astronomically and numerous minimum wage increases, the income of our county employees should be aligned. We shouldn’t be struggling to provide for our families with rising food costs. Maxing out your pay shouldn’t take 10 years. Those coming into the county and starting off on step 1 have a decade to receive the highest pay for a position they mastered years before. Everyone should be paid their worth. Last contract, I was extremely vocal about being unhappy with the outcome and was told to step up, so here I am.

George Martinez, Public Health Fleet Specialist, Dept. Of Public Works

Let me introduce myself. My name is George Martinez; I’ve been with SEIU 521 since October of 2022, when I joined the Kern County Health Department as a fleet specialist. Prior to being an SEIU member I was a member for 21 years of local 87 of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. In those 21 years I served as lead shop Stewart for approximately 18 years. In those 18 years I also was part of the bargaining team for the last 3 contracts. Our contracts were for 5 year terms. I served as lead representative for our members on the last bargaining team. Each contract we bargained was stronger than the previous one bringing increased strength and benefits to our members. The last 8 years with local 87 I also served on the local executive board. First as a trustee, and then as vice president of the local. I believe that with my experience and background I can be an asset to the bargaining team and look forward to working with them to secure a strong contract for our members.

 

 

Jonah Tilton, Communications Technician III, Dept. Of General Services

Hello my name is Jonah Tilton, I have worked for Kern County for over 10 years as a Communications Technician III. I have worked along side the union to help those in my career field with negotiations. That experience working with the union is what motivated me to run for a spot on the bargaining team. My goal is to represent change on a broader scope. Given the chance to represent our bargaining unit I am ready to do my due diligence to push for the best contract for everyone.