Santa Clara County dispatchers deliver vote of no confidence to county fire communications management at board meeting

Dispatchers at Santa Clara County Communications told the Board of Supervisors that management has failed to bargain in good faith and has not provided adequate notice or training for recent operational changes.

At the Aug. 12 meeting, three dispatchers and representatives described sustained morale and labor issues in County Communications and the Santa Clara County Fire dispatch function. Isla Lujan (communications dispatcher 3) said: “We will be reading the vote of no confidence… The department is failing to respect us and abide by labor laws through bad faith bargaining.”

Why it matters: County communications dispatchers coordinate fire, law and medical responses for thousands of residents. Dispatchers warned that new tasks tied to regional responsibilities and changes in duties increase risk when staffing, training and transparency lag.

Details and demands: Speakers described a history of “stonewalling” and said the department withheld timely proposals and information affecting wages, hours and working conditions. Megan Mahoney (dispatcher 3 and trainer) said dispatchers had delivered a vote of no confidence on July 31, signed by the dispatch workforce, and asked the board to require county management to meet with dispatchers and address training, staffing and bargaining concerns before additional responsibilities are imposed.

What the board heard: Supervisors acknowledged the testimony and asked county staff for follow-up. Several speakers urged immediate engagement between county managers and the dispatcher workforce to reduce operational risk while the department works through transitions tied to an expanded regional role for the county’s communications center.