UPEC Objects to 36 Hour Work Week in Glenn County

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

WILLOWS - The Glenn COunty Board of Supervisors tried to pass a 36 hour work week on Tuesday, September 29th while union members and department heads looked on. The idea of changing the work week from 40 to 36 hours appeared late last week in an effort to balance the County General Fund. The Board had removed the idea of the 36 hour work week when they determined they had an obligation to notify the union bargaining units with a 14 day notice. Should the County implement a shorter work week, employees would see a 10% cut in pay and benefits effective October 18, 2009 and a change in work schedule to four-nine hour shifts with Wednesday off according to the County Resolution.
UPEC Bargaining units have met with County Administrators 4-5 times each and offered concessions prior to the latest reduced hours idea. The Board of SUpervisors has turned down those offers by the union.
Business Manager Chris Darker appeared before the Board on behalf of the UPEC Represented bargaining units requesting that the five Board members hold a Special Meeting to hear from UPEC Bargaining Unit Leaders and members to discuss how best to resolve the financial shortfall. “We believe that the people who are being personally and Financially impacted be afforded the time to have their concerns heard, their suggestions fully explained and considered” said Darker. Darker suggested October 6 or 8th but the entire Board was not available and both settled for Tuesday, October 13th at 1:00 PM.
The meeting continued for another hour over discussion of the reduced work week and contingency funds during which time Darker asked to again address the Board. “Yesterday, I advised County Personnel and the County Administrator that the union believes that changing the work week from 40 to 36 hours is a violation of our UPEC Contracts and we have referred this to our legal team”, said Darker. Darker mentioned the legal issue because he hadn’t heard it come up in the conversation or motion to pass the budget. “I guess it was just another detail that wasn’t passed on to the board and felt it might help them with their decision”, said Darker.
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The County finally did adopt a budget with a vote of 3-2 yesterday afternoon but the issue of layoffs and reducing the workweek hang in the balance.