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County workers press Stanislaus supervisors for higher pay, lower caseloads as CEO says negotiations continue
Summary
Behavioral-health and social-service county employees testified at the Board of Supervisors meeting demanding livable wages, smaller caseloads and better safety; County CEO Hayes said negotiations remain active, noted prior offers and said settlements cover about 75% of the workforce.
Dozens of Stanislaus County behavioral-health and social-service employees and union members addressed the Board of Supervisors on Sept. 16, urging the board to negotiate a “fair contract” to address chronic understaffing, high caseloads and low pay.
"We need more trained eyes and experienced hands," said Carmen Villa, a child-protective-services social worker and SEIU 521 member, urging the board to stop what she described as a staffing pattern that leads to burnout and poor outcomes for families. Multiple speakers described working nights and holidays, missed breaks and rising turnover.
The testimony included specific staffing concerns: Amanda Barnett, a behavioral-health specialist, said…
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