BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — SEIU Local 521 said they averted their planned two-day strike in June by reaching a two-year tentative agreement with Kern County after a year of negotiations.
The announcement came on Wednesday via a press release from the union, saying this was possible due to "unity and action", while the county followed with a press release of its own giving details of the agreement.
The county announced that the tentative agreement includes:
- A 6% across-the-board salary increase
- A one-time $1,500 cash payment for all current SEIU bargaining unit employees
- Equity adjustments totaling over $3 million across 28 job classifications
- Increase in bilingual pay
- Enhanced uniform and tool allowances
- A newly added personal holiday
"Our continuous actions, the increasing public support of our cause to Fix Kern, and the
determination of thousands of us to be strike-ready—Kern County workers—pushed the
County’s management team back to the table with new urgency," said Alicia Aleman, Kern County Social Worker and SEIU Local 521 Chapter President.
Aleman said the tentative agreement is the first step to addressing short staffing, recruitment, retention and workplace safety.
The SEIU chapter president concluded the statement by saying, "This agreement wasn’t handed to us—it was won through our unity, organizing, and the power workers showed by standing ready to change the status quo for the services our community deserves.”
The county said the agreement "reflects a shared commitment of ongoing investment in our dedicated employees across multiple county departments who provide essential services while maintaining the County's long-term fiscal responsibilities."
And continued saying, "The County appreciates the hard work and perseverance of our SEIU-represented employees throughout this process. Their contributions are vital to the well-being of our residents throughout Kern County."
The tentative agreement will be presented for final approval by the Kern County Board of Supervisors on June 17.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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