The more than 1400 Fresno County employees that went on strike Monday include Juvenile Correctional Officers, Public Health Nurses and Social Workers. Dozens of strikes took place in Fresno County Monday as employees walked of the job due to a 9% paycut that the County implemented in December.
"We are here because the board of supervisors imposed a cut before the voting was done. They bargained in bad faith," Connie Phetvixay, a quality assurance Social Worker in Fresno County and the Strike Leader at one of the sites.
The last, best and final offer from the County was implemented without a vote from union members. But the County says the negotiations went on for more than six months and an impasse was finally declared.
"What we want them to do is go back to the negotiation table and give us a fair contract," said Phetvixay.
The cuts affect 4100 Fresno County Employees, of those about 1400 went on strike Monday. One of the largest groups in that bargaining unit, Correctional Officers who work at the Fresno County Jail, chose not to strike.
Both sides continue to point fingers, employees filed a complaint with the Labor Board against the County for negotiating in bad faith. They began by asking to slash workers' pay by 25%. Employees say they offered to give up 6%.
"Yeah, but let's explain what they really proposed, that's 2% a year," said County Administrative Officer, John Navarrette. He added that other groups, like Sheriff Deputies, took an annual 7% cut.
Navarrette says the strikes are not hurting the County financially and most departments continue to run smoothly. "If you're asking me is this job action going to deter our current position? The answer is no."
Employees plan to strike through Wednesday, they will be protesting at the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday. Both parties must meet in Sacramento on Thursday to try to work out their issues.