AFSCME press release

Inyo County Employees Association (ICEA), Local 315 of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), is hosting a Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 6pm.

The Town Hall Meeting will give Inyo County service providers and their bargaining team a forum to voice concerns about the need to protect strong public services in Inyo County, and the relationship between those services and the ICEA MOU. The meeting will also feature a financial presentation by national AFSCME labor economist Gary Storrs.

Throughout the bargaining process, employees have voiced serious concerns about the County’s ability to recruit and retain experienced staff, the number of positions that remain unfilled for many months, and the impact this has on public services.

ICEA is the largest union representing County employees, representing those who support seniors and veterans, plow and maintain roads, abate mosquitoes, protect child welfare, deliver health services, analyze drinking water, inspect restaurants, run libraries, airports, parks and museums, care for lost animals, process garbage, manage wetlands, conduct local elections, plan for emergencies, respond to 911 calls, and keep the County funded in order to continue all these services.

ICEA also represents the lowest paid employees in the County. For 2016 and 17, the County is offering increases of only 1% per year to these employees, which amounts to just over 12 cents an hour for the lowest paid classification in the County. 1% for the highest paid classification in the County is 86 cents an hour. The County has agreed to 2% increases for 2016, and 2017 with its Probation Officers. The Consumer Price Index is currently at 2.7%.

The Union has invited the Board of Supervisors to attend the meeting and listen directly to employees’ concerns, rather than continuing to allow Administration to isolate them.

”Belt tightening on the backs of services and service providers since 2008 has resulted in poor morale and declining public services. When is enough enough?” asks Janelle Kent, a Substance Abuse Counselor and President of ICEA. “In order to make good decisions, we believe it is essential for our elected officials to hear what is going on from their employees.”

The Town Hall Meeting will take place at the Jill Kinmont Booth Great Room, 166 Grandview Dr. in Bishop, on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 6 pm.