County employees urge board to approve fair contracts, citing rising costs and stalled talks

Dozens of county employees and union representatives used the public-comment period to press the Solano County Board of Supervisors for faster, fairer contract settlements and restored benefits.

At the start of public comment, union representative Katrina Dodson said the county negotiator "has failed to meet fairly with our union representation to secure a contract that reflects the value of their work," and asked supervisors to approve wages and benefits that let workers "live in the same communities they serve." Other speakers gave specific examples: Gabriel Gonzales, a 23-year county employee with Local 39, said starting custodians faced an inadequate raise schedule; physician assistant Joseph Monnecke compared local PA pay ranges to neighboring counties and urged annual COLAs so staff do not leave. Linda Cheeseman, who identified herself as a bargaining-team representative and county employee, reminded supervisors that four of five board members previously approved an 18% front-loaded pay increase in 2022 and urged parity for rank-and-file staff.

Speakers repeatedly raised healthcare premiums as a bargaining lever the unions say the county has used to pressure employees. "Using health care increases as a weapon to leverage a labor agreement is something that SEIU 1021 finds highly unethical," field director Emma Gerald said, adding the union has proposed fixes at all three bargaining tables. Several speakers sought supervisor intervention, saying stalled talks and the expiration of contracts risk service disruptions. The board did not take immediate action during the meeting; members said they would continue negotiations and directed staff to report back as appropriate.

Public-comment speakers and union representatives who addressed the board included Katrina Dodson, Gabriel Gonzales (Local 39), Daniel Womack (Local 39), Joseph Monnecke (PA), Simone Arnett, Linda Cheeseman, Eloise Wright (IHSS worker, SEIU), and SEIU staff. Several suggested items for follow-up: preserving existing health-care cost-sharing agreements until new contracts are finalized and accelerating market adjustments to close pay gaps with neighboring counties.