Glenn Supervisors Respond to Unions Concern (Update #2- 5:30PM 10-14-09)

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Willows - The Glenn County Board of Supervisors met with UPEC Staff and members in an open meeting this afternoon. The Union requested an open meeting for represented units to discuss the Board’s plans to unilaterally implement a 36 hour work week as soon as October 18, 2009. The 36 hour week was equal to a 10% pay cut for every county employee and reduced services to the public. Business Manager Chris Darker had made the meeting request September 29th to explore proposals to help solve the County budget shortfall other than a 10% pay cut. Shortly after the meeting began today the union learned that the board may still consider layoffs as a viable solution. This was something the union thought was no longer the case after the comments at the September 29th meeting. Board Chairman Mike Murphy said there were two directions the board could legally go in to resolve the budget problem. Layoffs or reduced workweek. The union disagreed that the Board could unilaterally implement a 36 hour workweek since contracts were in place. Representative Steve Allen said UPEC attorney’s also disagreed with the county on a unilateral move. Allen reviewed concessions that union employees had offered that were immediately rejected because they did not completely solve the budget shortfall. Union members took a short caucus to discuss the two options offered by the Board. At the conclusion, union representatives and association presidents unanimously stated a 10% cut was not something they and their members could agree to. The Board went into closed session and returned giving the county representatives the authority to continue discussions with the union. County representatives met with all bargaining unit union leaders and proposed that employees begin paying 4% of their PERS Retirement contribution. Representatives have until 2pm Thursday to render a decision on the proposal. THE GLENN COUNTY GENERAL UNIT AND THE DEPUTY SHERIFF"S ASSOCIATION SUBMITTED THEIR COUNTER PROPOSAL THIS MORNING (10-14-09) and to the 4% PERS contribution.