Teamsters declare impasse; county employees allege retaliation and demand outside investigation

Ruth Duarte, a representative of Teamsters Local 542, told the Imperial County Board of Supervisors on July 22 that the union is declaring impasse in negotiations with the county and intends to pursue statutorily prescribed impasse procedures.

Duarte told the board, “we are declaring impasse in the ongoing negotiations between the County of Imperial and the bargaining units represented by Teamsters Local 542,” and said the union will file the required documentation with the Public Employment Relations Board if talks do not resume. She also said the union believes county management has been contacting former employees and retirees to serve as extra help in advance of a potential strike, an action she said “undermine[s] the bargaining process.”

The union’s notice came during the closed‑session public comment period and was followed during open session by multiple employees and former colleagues who raised separate but related workplace complaints. Terry Gonzales, who said she had spent decades with county service and was due to retire, told the board she was placed on administrative leave three days before her retirement over allegations she deleted 9,000 files from a shared folder. Gonzales said she believes the action was retaliatory, and asked the board to “please do an investigation, clear my name.”

Several colleagues and former supervisors spoke in support of Gonzales, describing her as a longtime employee with a strong record and urging an independent investigation. Ramona Campos, who said she has known Gonzales for 25 years, asked the board to commission an external inquiry rather than an internal review, warning that the matter could lead to litigation and additional county costs.

County staff and board members acknowledged the concerns. Supervisor Martha Kalena Singh and Chairman John Hawk said they have formed an ad hoc compliance committee and are reviewing HR policies and reporting processes; Singh told speakers, “we have put into action a plan showing high priority for actions that include HR policies and procedures and reporting processes.” The board later returned from closed session and reported only that “direction was given” on multiple closed‑session matters and that there were no reportable actions.

Union and rank‑and‑file speakers also pressed the board on pay and working conditions. In public comment, Teamsters representatives said many Public Works employees earn “under $24 an hour” while working in the heat to maintain county roads. Jacqueline Torres, an eligibility worker who spoke during public comment, criticized multi‑year raises as inadequate and said staff have effectively lost ground to inflation: “After 17 years to the county of Imperial, I shouldn't have to choose between putting gas in my car to get to work or celebrating baby David's accomplishments, but I do.”

Board members said they would examine grievance procedures and compliance steps. Supervisor Singh reiterated planned policy reviews and promised to pursue efficiencies and policy updates; the CEO’s office said it would look into the specific personnel complaint raised in public comment.

The board did not take formal personnel action during the meeting and recorded no reportable decisions about the matters raised in public comment. The union’s declaration of impasse is a separate procedural action under state labor law and is not a board vote.

Looking ahead, union officials said they remain willing to return to the table if the county will participate in mediation and meaningful negotiations. The board said it will continue its compliance work and examine grievance and personnel practices raised by speakers.