Public employees have been under attack by anti-worker interest groups who have tried to blame public service workers for the recession. The real facts are that Riverside County public service retirees only receive $25 a month toward retiree medical benefits and current workers are below community standards in wages.
The SEIU 721 City of Palm Springs bargaining team negotiated a tentative agreement with Palm Springs management on Tuesday, July 15, 2014. City workers will see a 4% salary increase over the four-year contract. A ratification vote will be held Tuesday, July 15.
Following several weeks of City of Hemet worker testimonies on how proposed layoffs and cuts will affect working families and the need to respect the collective bargaining process, the Hemet City Council approved a budget that calls for elimination of positions and more cuts.
With the primary over, COPE will be hosting a couple of more town halls to give SEIU 721 members the opportunity to hear from candidates in the previously “unendorsed” races.
SEIU Local 721 members made endorsements in 86 campaigns covering six southern California Counties.
SEIU Local 721 social workers spoke up at the Board of Supervisors meeting on May 20 to urge the Board to support children in Santa Barbara County by improving recruitment and retention of social workers to keep children safe.
The SEIU 721 bargaining team and Palm Springs management have held several productive bargaining sessions over the past two weeks. The last session was held on Tuesday, May 20. SEIU 721 researchers produced a deep financial report on the City’s finances and the bargaining team is analyzing those findings.
In record numbers, Riverside County members voted to elect two Bargaining Teams that will have the opportunity to negotiate for contract improvements on two important topics – retiree medical benefits and job parity fairness.
A union wide push for pay equity and fairness, SEIU 721 members have won a major victory that will provide members with increases in FLEX benefits and up to 8% more in pay over the next two years.