By Leslie Griffy The Californian.com May 12, 2009
The union that represents most county workers may lose a branch of members, after Monterey County Elections officials approved a petition requesting a vote on who represents some health care workers.
SEIU 521 represents several bargaining units in the county, including health care workers and other employees, including librarians, planners and clerical staff. The union is currently negotiating with county officials over potential cuts, as administrators try to slice $41.6 million from the budget.
A splinter group submitted petitions last month, asking for a vote to break away from SEIU 521. The SEIU group in Monterey County also represents workers in Santa Clara and other counties, which some members complained made the union too large and unresponsive to local demands.
The group, which wanted to join forces with National Union of Healthcare Workers, presented county officials with two petitions it contended had enough signatures to force a vote on representation.
Last week, elections officials essentially gave the unions a split decision. After reviewing the signatures on the petitions, Keith Honda, assistant county administrative officer, told officials in a letter that the petition for health care workers had enough signatures but the general employees' petition did not. The Californian obtained the letter through a public records request.
The results led both sides to proclaim victory.
Monday, SEIU officials proclaimed in a press release that Monterey County employees rejected the new union.
"The members have spoken," said Dean Carothers, a bargaining team member and Unit J worker. "This is a clear indication that members want to stay united and focus on what really matters: protecting our contract and maintaining valuable services to the public during a budget crisis."
Similarly, NUHW supporters told the Monterey County Board of Supervisors today that the fight will continue and that they are preparing for the election in which some county health care workers can consider switching unions.
An independent contractor will conduct the election, but it is unclear when that will take place.
http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20090512/NEWS01/90512020
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