The union representing county workers, SEIU Local 521, held a rally earlier this month to update workers about ongoing contract negotiations with San Benito County.
The county’s contract with the employees is set to expire this week, while government officials stayed quiet on the talks.
“San Benito County workers have sacrificed” in recent years, including taking pay freezes and paying more for health care, said Nora Hochman, an organizer for the union.
The county is proposing huge increases in premiums for her members and decreased pay, she said.
“Workers are prepared to take action” to stop the increases, she said.
But she is not sure if the county and union negotiators can settle before the contract expires.
“It’s our desire to settle it,” she said.
More than 100 county employees were laid off from 2007 to 2008, in the depth of the recession, said Denise Quintana, a trial support specialist for the county, and a member of the union negotiators.
“With the reduction of pay, I’m not sure employees of this county can take these hits,” she said.
However, she said, the members are looking to work with the county to help reduce medical costs and stave off pay decreases.
Still, “it’s getting tough for us,” she said.
Interim County Administrative Officer Ray Espinosa, who is a part of the negotiations representing the county, declined to comment at this time because the negotiations are still ongoing. Supervisors also declined to comment.
