After about two months of negotiations, a group of all-female
court workers say they’re prepared to strike sometime in the future
because they believe the San Benito County Superior Court
administration is proposing a deal that could make them lose their
healthcare benefits.
Hollister – After about two months of negotiations, a group of all-female court workers say they’re prepared to strike sometime in the future because they believe the San Benito County Superior Court administration is proposing a deal that could make them lose their healthcare benefits.
But Court Executive Officer Alex Calvo said the court has been more than fair in its negotiations and if he gives the women what they’re asking for, public services could suffer and some employees could be laid off.
About 20 female court reporters and court clerks picketed in front of the court house Tuesday afternoon to protest the court’s proposal to cut their healthcare benefits, which they say would slash their salaries because it would take cash out of their annual pay.
“I’m upset about them taking away benefits I’ve already negotiated and earned,” said criminal processing clerk Joy Pierce. “There are a couple other options, but I think (striking) is a possibility.”
Pierce, a seven-year veteran, didn’t know when the workers could strike if they decide to go that route. There is no timeline on the contract negotiations, but they have been without a union contract since the end of October.
Local lawyer Dolly Ares said the court would come to a standstill if the women went on strike. The workers file all the court’s paperwork, including claims, lawsuits and hearing dates, and attorneys rely on them tremendously, Ares said.
If the workers went on strike Ares said administration would have to take over their duties, but it could cause delays in service.
“They’re very helpful to us and they’re very helpful to the clients who walk in. They’re invaluable,” she said. “I hope they don’t strike. If they did we’d have a lot of difficulty.”
The court offered to pay 100 percent of the women’s health insurance for the first year, but in the second year the workers would have to bear any increase in health insurance costs, said Joel Hill, the Service Employees International Union representative. The court also offered to increase the women’s cost of living adjustment (COLA) by 2 percent the second year, but Hill said if the healthcare increases are severe, even with the COLA increase, their salaries on the whole could drop.
Many of the women are single mothers who rely on good health insurance to keep themselves and their children healthy, Hill said
“With the price of gas, the price of rent and everything else going up, some are already talking about having to look for other jobs if this goes through,” he said. “Some of the staff is talking about striking. Hopefully we don’t have to go there, but I believe they’re prepared to.”
The women have accused Calvo of cutting their benefits while not sustaining any cuts to his own benefit package or those of the two superior court judges.
But Calvo said when his contract is up for renewal he could also suffer cuts to his salary and benefits – it’s not just the women who will feel the budget crunch. State budget cuts are forcing the courthouse to reduce spending, he said.
The court is funded entirely by the state and has a budget of $2.3 million, he said. Employee salaries and benefits make up 85 percent of the court’s expenditures, he said.
Calvo makes around $100,000 a year, while the judges make around $140,000. Calvo said the highest paid court employee’s salary is $68,000 annually, while the lowest paid woman earns $29,000 – more money than their peers in Monterey, Fresno and San Luis Obispo make.
“There’s no more money the court has to work with. I believe this is what the court can do financially,” Calvo said. “Doing any more would mean a reduction in service levels and lay offs of employees.”
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected]
