Support Our Strikers!

Shasta County employees began a two-week strike today, Monday May 1st, to protest a lack of progress in negotiations that broke down earlier this year over pay and medical insurance premiums.

The General Unit consists of about 850 positions that provide services across all County departments.  Of the 850 positions, over 200 are currently vacant due to low pay and the County's inability to hire and keep employees.  You would think the Board of Supervisors would act to resolve this chronic staffing issue on  their own but they have not.

The County is offering a 2.5% COLA which in the face of medical insurance premium increases actually results in a 7% pay cut for a large group of our members.  The Union is demanding a 15% increase to make up for high inflation and the insurance increase.

The local AFL-CIO Labor Council including Teamsters driving UPS delivery trucks voted to sanction the strike and not cross the picket line surrounding the block where  the County's Administrative Officers are located.  Our members appreciate this important support from our Union brothers and sisters!

No negotiations are currently scheduled so Union members will attend the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday to request Board members engage directly to settle the dispute.  

Stay tuned, we will update this article as the strike progresses!