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Marin County employees press board for higher pay, retirement access for part-time workers and bargaining improvements
Summary
Dozens of county employees and union representatives used the public-comment period to demand fair pay, inclusion of part-time and contingent hires in the county retirement system, overtime protections, and improved bargaining outcomes. Supervisors acknowledged concerns and staff said wage and benefit decisions will be part of upcoming negotiations and the budget process.
During a long public-comment period on Feb. 10, multiple Marin County employees and union representatives urged the Board of Supervisors to improve compensation and benefits for county workers and to include part-time and contingent hires in the county retirement system.
Jessica Middleton, a public-health nurse, told the board: "I ask you today to give us a fair contract that reflects your value of employees. Show us you value your employees by giving us what we deserve, fair pay, that reflects the current cost of living." (Jessica Middleton)
Other speakers described specific shortfalls: Joan Glassheim (Division of Aging Ombudsman program) said Marin County is the only Bay Area county that does not include part-timers in its retirement system, leaving long-serving part-time staff without retirement benefits. Kelsey Poole (eligibility worker) and multiple HHS colleagues asked that contingent hires and part-time employees be added to retirement and Social Security provisions and urged the board to negotiate higher healthcare support and overtime protections.
Union representatives and long-service county staff emphasized training and retention risks if wages do not keep pace with Marin County’s high cost of living; one speaker noted the county ranks among the most expensive U.S. counties and said low pay is causing employees to leave. Several public commenters asked the board to return to the bargaining table with a more competitive offer and to consider a cost-of-living adjustment rather than temporary relief.
Board members acknowledged the concerns and thanked employees for speaking. County staff and the County Executive acknowledged budget constraints but said labor negotiations are ongoing and that the proposed budget will reflect county priorities. No final contract or board vote occurred at this meeting.
What’s next: Employees and union leaders said they will continue bargaining and advocacy; the board and staff signaled further negotiation in the coming budget cycle and possible follow-up reports.
