APCD staff, union representatives tell board of alleged bullying, retaliation and morale crisis

Dozens of current and former Ventura County Air Pollution Control District employees, accompanied by SEIU union representatives, told the APCD board on June 24 that a hostile workplace culture is harming staff and impairing the agency’s ability to carry out its regulatory duties.

The speakers said the alleged misconduct centers on the district’s human resources and executive offices. “They robbed me of my peace of mind, my livelihood, and my career,” said Michelle Wood, an APCD employee whose written statement was read aloud by Alyssa Ellis. “I have witnessed and personally experienced targeted bullying and retaliation,” Wood said.

Why it matters: Employees told the board that stress leaves, demotions and unresolved grievances have removed experienced permit engineers and compliance staff from daily operations, which they said has delayed permits and inspections that affect the county’s air quality programs.

Multiple employees described a pattern of discipline they said occurred without progressive or documented steps. “Disciplinary actions have been taken against employees, including myself, without any prior performance conversations, written warning or improvement plans,” Wood’s statement said. Inspector Hayden McPherson said he feared retaliation and described being intimidated in a managerial exchange he reported to the California Air Resources Board.

Several speakers cited specific personnel and administrative rules in complaining about local actions. Christopher Harlan, an engine engineering division employee, said he believed management had violated SEIU’s memorandum of understanding and County of Ventura personnel rules when he was assigned responsibilities for two positions without promotion. “Being in my probation period, I felt compelled to comply,” Harlan said.

Nicole Colazo, a newly elected SEIU steward at APCD, said staff have filed grievances and an unfair labor practice complaint with the state. “I have severe anxiety, depression, and paranoia over what’s been happening,” Colazo told the board, attributing the conditions to the workplace environment.

Union response and requests: SEIU organizer Amy Sager and union representative Sam Edelson urged the board to work with staff and the union to stabilize working conditions. “We have been receiving comments from employees of APCD about poor working conditions, about being driven to stress, being driven to medical leave,” Edelson said. SEIU said it has filed multiple unfair labor practice complaints related to alleged anti-union behavior.

Board reaction and next steps: Board members declined to respond during the public comment period but asked staff and legal counsel to return with information about conflict resolution and the district’s procedures for addressing staff complaints. “I have been in discussion about the matter. We’ll have something come back to the board later,” Chair McQueen Lejeune said.

What speakers asked for: Employees and the union urged an independent investigation, release of a third‑party morale assessment that staff said was withheld, review of hiring and promotion decisions, and board action to ensure adherence to county personnel rules and progressive discipline procedures.

Context and limits: The allegations reported at the meeting are those of the speakers. The board did not take formal disciplinary action at the meeting, and the board chair indicated staff and counsel would report back at a later date.

Ending: The board moved on to its regular agenda after public comment. Several speakers said they would continue pursuing grievances and state filings; the board’s follow-up on conflict‑resolution and any independent review will determine whether formal changes are recommended or adopted.