Kern County workers and members of SEIU members rallied together during the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday regarding financial negotiations with SEIU (Service Employees International Union) Local 521. The discussion involves SEIU’s request for pay raises and policy changes for county employees, balanced against the county’s budgetary constraints.
SEIU’s Request:
- SEIU proposed an 8% salary increase in the first year, another 8% in the second year, and additional requests for year three.
- The union later revised its ask to 6% annually for two years with a salary reopener in year three.
- The county countered with a 3% annual raise for two years and a reopener in year three.
SEIU also requested non-monetary changes, such as addressing workloads, increasing vacation and sick leave caps, and expanding remote work policies. However, the county noted these changes would still have fiscal implications.
The county’s CFO, Elsa Martinez, clarified misconceptions about a reported $1.1 billion increase in the county’s net financial position since 2019. She explained that much of this increase reflects non-liquid assets like roads and buildings, which cannot be used for salaries.
Several Kern County workers spoke to the Board to demand fair treatment, competitive wages, and the broader impact of their work on the community during Tuesday’s Board meeting.
Janine Adams, a Kern County worker, commented on the financial struggles of a county worker selling plasma to make ends meet despite being a supervisor with a family.
“I myself had a colleague at the assessor’s office who needed to sell plasma to get by. Let that sink in,” Adam said.
Hector Vasquez, Kern County worker, spoke on behalf of overworked and undervalued employees, urging for fair wages.
“For years, we have provided vital services to this community from public safety to mental health care, social services, and everything in between…” Vasquez said. “This offer sends a clear message. Our contributions and sacrifices are not a priority.”
Civil rights leader Dolores Huerta also spoke to the Board to criticized the county’s reputation and its treatment of workers, arguing for fair wages and adequate staffing to serve the community.
“Kern County has a reputation of being a backward area… You have more than enough money to be able to give your workers what they deserve,” she said.
Huerta argued that Kern County is not lacking resources, given its wealth in agriculture and oil, and called on the Board of Supervisors to fairly compensate workers and ensure adequate staffing to meet the needs of the community.
“Being bilingual, I do double work. Double work. I feel that the county feels that we are replaceable,” said Mary Hernandez, Substance Abuse Specialist and member of SEIU.
Hernandez goes on to say she has been underpaid, exploited, unappreciated, undervalued, unrecognized, and overburdened. “It’s no wonder that we can’t keep people long enough past probation. They leave for better-paying jobs,” she said.
“We have an opportunity to change this… By investing in Kern County workers, offering competitive wages and sustainable workloads, we can ensure that essential services are accessible and efficient,” said Harvey Kaur, community advocate and vice president of Kern County Young Democrats Leaders.
