Contra Costa Members Tell Board: “Don’t Mandate, Negotiate!” & Ramp up for August 9 Rally

Contra Costa Countymembers have been in negotiations for the past several months, and two weeks ago, the Board of Supervisors made its last, best, and final offer to the chapter’s bargaining team, unilaterally declaring what the union believes to be an invalid impasse. On Tuesday, August, 2, over 200 rank-and-file Local 21 members filled the Board Chambers during and spoke for over an hour addressing the Board and telling the County’s elected officials: “Don’t mandate, negotiate!”

 Local 21 members were joined by the County’s other unions and employee associations, as well as by representatives from the Contra Costa Central Labor Council. For the first time in the County’s history, all of the unions, including management associations, joined together behind one united cause.

 Contra Costa members oppose the County Supervisors’ Wisconsin-style, union-busting tactics and are demanding from the Board that it sends the county negotiator back to the table with real, cost-saving solutions that don’t impact programs or undermine the professional integrity of Local 21-represented positions. The Board of Supervisors, if it continues along its path, will be one of the first county boards in the region to impose a last, best, and final offer to such a large group of employees.

 The chapter’s bargaining team, executive board, and contract action team are planning a follow-up action at the next Board meeting on August 9, where they will be joined by the County’s other labor unions and employee associations. The Board intends to place a resolution to impose its last, best, and final offer at this meeting, which would be an affront to the very principles of the labor movement: the requirement that employers bargain in good faith and the value from our elected officials respecting the rights of employees and workers everywhere.

If you are a resident, tax-payer, and voter of Contra Costa County, contact your union staff-person now to find out how you can show your support for collective bargaining rights and how you can oppose the Board of Supervisors Wisconsin-style, union-busting tactics!

We expect the Board to consider a resolution to impose their "last, best, and final offer" on August 9. Join Us to Speak Out on August 9, 9:30am at the Board Chambers!

(See more rally photos by Evelyn Gutierrez)