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County employees press board on pay and bargaining process during public comment
Summary
Multiple county employees and union members urged supervisors to provide fair compensation, criticized the bargaining process and asked the board to reinstate a previously offered 'me‑too' agreement; speakers warned of burnout and staffing shortages in departments that deliver critical services.
During the public‑comment portion of the March 11 meeting, several county employees and union members addressed the board about labor negotiations, staffing and compensation. Speakers said the county’s bargaining process has been unresponsive and that pay and working conditions are driving turnover and medical leave among critical staff.
What employees said An Eligibility Specialist and other DHHS staff described operating at 50–70% staffing in recent years, elevated burnout, and hiring challenges. One speaker said a previously offered “me‑too” agreement had been rescinded and characterized that decision as a betrayal after pandemic-era efforts by staff. Employees asked the board to prioritize fair compensation, to rescind the rescinded agreement, and to consider alternative measures — including reduced work hours with no pay cut — to retain staff if additional salary funding is not immediately available.
Board response and closed session notice Supervisors acknowledged the comments and explained closed session on labor negotiations will occur later in the day; the board read a closed‑session item into the record under California Government Code section 54957.6 for labor negotiations with designated negotiators and stated no reportable action resulted from that closed session.
Why it matters Speakers told the board that understaffing and low pay directly affect the county’s ability to deliver social services and that continued turnover increases costs and reduces continuity of care. Several speakers asked for equitable treatment across county departments and for recognition of the work performed during and after the pandemic.
Next steps The board recessed to closed session on labor negotiations and later reported no reportable action taken at the conclusion of the closed session. Union representatives and county negotiators will continue bargaining; employees asked the board to return to the table with offers to improve retention and pay.
