Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Labor Relations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County employees press supervisors for pay, COLAs and to preserve longevity pay during budget hearings
Summary
Dozens of county staff — many representing SEIU Local 1021 — told supervisors that a 1% COLA and removal of longevity pay would amount to pay cuts, harm retention, and reduce public services; speakers urged the board to prioritize employees in the FY26–27 budget.
A steady stream of county employees and SEIU Local 1021 representatives used the public‑comment period at the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors meeting on June 2 to press for better wages, restoration of longevity pay and cost‑of‑living adjustments.
Speakers included Jeff Weston (vice president, local SEIU 1021 chapter), Travis Balzerini (SEIU regional vice president), Megan Wolf (SEIU Local 1021 secretary and library assistant), Veronica Wilson (MSW, homeless services continuum lead), and others who said the current bargaining proposal — a 1% COLA paired with elimination of longevity pay — would be, in practice, a pay cut for many employees. Commenters described high housing and health‑insurance costs, long commutes, and staff shortages that they said impede service delivery in departments such as social services, public health, environmental health, and the assessor's office.
Several speakers said previous contracts, which included a 3% COLA in 2018, had helped staff remain in the county and that removing modest longevity steps (1% at 10, 15 and 20 years) would erode recruitment and retention. Clarice Sargenti, an air‑quality engineer, told the board that understaffed and underpaid environmental‑health and public‑safety teams threaten institutional knowledge and public safety. Multiple commenters said they or their coworkers qualify for public assistance despite years of county service.
Union representatives urged the board to plan for COLAs in the upcoming budget cycle and to consider establishing a placeholder or marker in the budget for future cost‑of‑living adjustments. Patrick Hickey, a field representative for SEIU Local 1021, told the board the county has a growing fund balance and should prioritize retaining experienced employees rather than underspending while services decline.
Board members acknowledged the concerns during the budget hearing and staff noted the proposed FY2026–27 budget was balanced using one‑time funds; supervisors asked that compensation and bargaining outcomes be included in ongoing budget planning and committed to further discussion.
What happens next: Negotiations between the county and bargaining units continue. The board adopted the proposed budget and directed staff to return with final adoption documents on June 23; labor and budget conversations will continue as the final budget is prepared.
