Solano County workers strike; dozens tell supervisors to restore health coverage and return to bargaining table

Dozens of Solano County employees and union leaders told the Board of Supervisors on Jan. 13 they were on an unfair-labor-practice strike and demanded the county return to the bargaining table and restore fair health benefits.

The comments came during a lengthy public-comment period dominated by union speakers and rank-and-file staff who said recent contract terms shifted health-care costs onto employees. "Holding health care over our heads is unethical and it's immoral," Michael Kitsis, president of Local 1 Unit 16, told the board. "You're holding health care, and you bribed the other unions to hurt us. That's wrong." Speakers repeatedly described two days without pay and financial hardship for single-income households.

Unions also framed the action as broad solidarity across departments. "County employees across health and social services, public works, county libraries and other vital services are outside and on strike today," Justin Decker of IFPTE Local 21 said. Chung Park, serving as a chief negotiator for IUOE Local 39, told supervisors that "there's hundreds of us outside, and we're at six different locations" and said the action had strengthened union coordination.

Union leaders and advocates asked the county to address specific contract items they said were harmful, including health-plan language and proposals that would require employees to give up other concessions in order to receive Juneteenth as a paid holiday. "What is being pushed across is that we have to give up something to receive Juneteenth," caller Akbar said during remote comment; "why would you ask us to give up anything and make it such that it's fair for us to receive that day of celebration?"

Several speakers contrasted the board's recent raises with staff offers. "There was money for your raise," Simone Arnett, vice president of SEIU 1021, said, referencing an 18% board raise last year. Others pressed the board to quantify financial trade-offs and to empower negotiators to reach a compromise.

County staff and labor representatives signaled the labor context would continue into closed session. The board adjourned to closed session to meet with labor negotiators; no public report was expected at that time. The supervisors' next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 27.

Notes: All direct quotes and attributions in this article are drawn from the public-comment record at the Jan. 13, 2026 Solano County Board of Supervisors meeting. Speakers are identified by the name or role used in the record.