Striking Butte County employees finished up a two-day walk-out Tuesday, hopeful that continued pressure will force the county to relent in negotiations, which have reached an impasse.
About two dozen members of the United Public Employees of California Local 792 stood silently in the back of the gallery as the Board of Supervisors met.
Negotiator Steve Allen invited the supervisors to attend upcoming bargaining sessions, saying their presence might speed a compromise. Allen said little progress has been made since negotiations began in April.
“Basically, we’re working to pay for our health care,” Allen said.
Jim Hays was among the strikers; he works for the county’s Child Support Services department.
“It’s been five years,” he said. “We haven’t had a real raise and we keep losing a little bit more for paying for our insurance every year. Some of these guys are paying $800 a month.”
According to union officials, employee purchasing power has eroded to the point where they should be considered among the “working poor.” The net pay of county janitors, road workers, cooks and animal control officers after deductions for taxes, retirement, and medical insurance, is less than the state minimum wage of $9 an hour.
All sides expect a settlement. The question is when.