GILROY
– Almost 450 county workers will keep their jobs for at least a
few more months due to what officials are calling a
”
milestone
”
agreement between the county and its largest employee union.
GILROY – Almost 450 county workers will keep their jobs for at least a few more months due to what officials are calling a “milestone” agreement between the county and its largest employee union.
Members of the Service Employees International Local Union 715, which represents about half of the county’s 16,000 workers, have agreed to defer 2.5 percent of a previously negotiated pay increase until November to temporarily prevent layoffs and preserve services.
In exchange, no union members will be laid off or demoted before that time. Union members will still receive 1 percent of the increase next week.
“This was a tough decision for county workers, but in the end most members felt this was the right thing to do to protect jobs and services we’ll provide,” said Brian O’Neill, the union’s chapter chair.
District 1 County Supervisor Don Gage said he was pleased with the spirit of cooperation at a time when he said the county doesn’t have many other options.
“I think they realize we are not just saying we’re broke – we are,” he said Tuesday.
The move is expected to save the county roughly $5.1 million against a budget deficit that currently stands at $156 million. However, more tough decisions about layoffs are expected in November after officials expect to know more about the financial impacts that will come down from resolution of the state’s budget deficit.
The agreement comes as the county enters a final round of hearings this week before adopting next fiscal year’s budget, which goes into effect on July 1.
For a schedule of hearings, visit www.sccgov.org. All meetings occur in the board chambers at the County Government Center, 70 W. Hedding St. in downtown San Jose.
