County employee union reps intensify pushback language

Recent local media headlines may have readers thinking a strike involving a thousand Merced County workers is imminent; however, the words of union representatives and county officials strongly convey the suggestion that “we’re not there yet.”

At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, the president of AFSCME Local 2703 repeated the news that broke a few days ago, but with emphasis on further talks with county officials. Jerald Phelps announced to county leaders that 93.5 percent of his union’s membership rejected the county’s latest contract proposal, “and authorized us to return to the negotiating table, including the possibility of a strike.”

Phelps described it as a “historic decision,” but did not offer any details on just how many AFSCME members voted, or if the ones who had voted were dues-paying members or not.

Digital headlines had focused on county employees voting to “authorize a strike.” Phelps was quoted inside these news reports as saying it was the first time the union — representing more than a thousand county employees — has authorized a strike in more than three decades.

According to a Times source familiar with government labor negotiations, a lot more has to happen before an actual strike occurs, including a declaration of an impasse, and possible mediation with state oversight. In one news report, Phelps was quoted as saying his union “still has to hear the county’s ‘last, best and final’ offer.”

During the spring contract negotiation season, the public comments by union representatives were heavily laden with complaints about surging health care premiums. If one looks today at Merced County’s official website, under the “Labor Negotiations” tab, there’s a tentative agreement document posted, involving AFSCME, with the date June 27. The agreement, based on a one-year contract, includes adjustments to health care caps, vacation sell back, creation of a telework policy, among other things. The county offered to cover 100 percent up to the maximum contribution for individual health plans, and up to 50 percent in separate spouse, children and family plans. It appears the negotiation up to that point was being conducted in “good faith.” However, AFSCME’s leaders point out, the county’s offer includes a 0 percent increase for raises.

Surprisingly, the county recently uploaded a document under the same link that provides information to county workers about a possible AFSCME strike.

The document states: “As you may be aware, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (“AFSCME”), is preparing for a strike against the Citizens of the County. The County believes that essential employees (employees who strike would create a threat to public health or safety) are not allowed to strike and non-essential employees are allowed to strike.”

The document goes on to state the county has received many questions related to an anticipated strike, and then offers an FAQ listing for workers to be aware of.

During Tuesday’s board meeting, leaders approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the County of Merced and United Public Employees (UPE), representing Bargaining Unit 3. Details of this MOU appears to be the same deal offered to the AFSCME units.

Carlos Alcala, UPE’s executive director, was present at the meeting and stated his union accepted the agreement after a membership vote that was 52 percent in favor of it.

However, Alcala, as well as other union representatives on Tuesday, pivoted comments to the need for pay increases. Alcala took issue with the “cost of living on the rise, uncertainty of health care costs, and growing poverty rates.”

“It should not be lost on you all,” he told county leaders, “that our members deserve a pay increase which you can still provide within this contract.”

Alcala added that his union membership was “held hostage” in contract negotiations, and that health care benefits would “revert to previous increases.”

“In the United States of America, a country which we are proud to be Americans, a pay increase should not be a privilege. It’s a right.”

Phelps of AFSCME Local 2703 spoke with a similar tone on Tuesday when speaking about his membership’s most recent vote to reject the county’s offer and authorize a strike.

“This isn’t about striking against the residents of Merced County,” he said. “It’s about fairness and respect for our workers. Our employees face dismal wages while shouldering immense responsibilities, from firefighting to pandemic months. Our strike vote is a stand for dignity. A demand to be heard and valued. It’s a call for the county to prioritize funding essential services, not executive pay raises. Our community deserves fully staffed fire stations, responsive law enforcement, and adequately compensated county workforce. These are not luxuries. These are fundamental rights.”

Larry Watson, AFSCME’s vice president, called for a “fair and equitable” contract, and suggested that top country managers and leaders should trim funding for such things as out-of-town leadership conferences and industry summits.

In recent meetings, Merced County leaders have said they are facing a budget crisis as they grapple with the new fiscal year. There just isn’t enough money to meet all the demands that have been requested, they say.

Instead, department heads have been ordered to make cuts to make up for an estimated $6.6 million budget shortfall in the proposed budget. The final budget is expected to be adopted in September.

Greg Wellman, a former Merced County CEO, said he remembers the last time a general strike was called in the county. He recalled it as a dark time in 1987.

When asked about his thoughts on the current situation, Wellman simply stated: “Nobody wants a strike.”