San Joaquin County's Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 on Dec. 22 to direct the county's human resources director to seek agreements with employee unions to give Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, as an off day if each union signs off by noon on Dec. 24.

The decision was reported after the board recessed into closed session. County counsel said, "By a vote of 4 to 0, the board approved ... The board in recognition of the executive order providing federal employees time off for the 2025 holiday season and Christmas, has directed human resources director, Jennifer Goodman, and her designees to negotiate with each of the employee unions for Friday, December 26 off." The motion was made by Supervisor Rickman and seconded by Supervisor Gardia and carried 4-0; Supervisor Dhaliwal was absent.

The board directed that essential workers who cannot take the day off would be provided "the benefits they ordinarily receive for working a holiday per the respective MOUs," and stipulated that, if Goodman secures agreement of all employee unions by noon Wednesday, Dec. 24, the benefits would go into effect for all employees and an announcement would be made by 5:00 p.m. on Dec. 24. Any agreements may be ratified by side letters at the board's regular meeting on Jan. 13, 2026.

Before the closed session, a public commenter speaking on behalf of SEIU members told the board union members felt they had not been properly notified about representation for the negotiations. The commenter said, "They contacted me because I speak, and they wanted me to let me know that they did not know that they were having a potential negotiation today," and urged clarity about designated representatives.

Board members did not record additional public responses addressing the notification claim on the record before the board recessed; county staff moved the item to closed session and later returned with the reported action. The board confirmed its next organizational meeting is scheduled for Jan. 13, 2026, and adjourned with holiday greetings.

What happens next: The directive is contingent on unions' agreement by noon Dec. 24; if unanimous agreements are secured, staff will announce the outcome by 5 p.m. Dec. 24 and bring side letters to the Jan. 13, 2026 meeting for ratification.