Bargaining Update: Members Tell Board of Hardships and Pride in Services Provided

SEIU 721 Riverside county workers told the Board of Supervisors, Sept. 20, 2011, that any further cuts following furloughs will have a long lasting and devastating impact on their lives, community and local economy. Many members spoke passionately of family hardships, sacrifices, financial loss, and health crisis, while maintaining a strong sense of duty, dedication and pride for the public services they provide.
Here are some of their stories:
“I pride myself in providing vital services to families and children of Riverside County. Further cuts to my income; 8% Employer Paid Member Contribution pickup, 5% across the board, 10% raise in medical care, will result in the further tightening of my already modest budget. Please respect and protect county workers, the quality services we provide to our community, and the money I spend in my community.”
– Crystal Shackleford,
Staff Development Officer DPSS

“In August of 2009 the county began 11 months of imposed furloughs… Health care cost increases combined with the loss of income was the reason in 2009 I filed for bankruptcy, my car was repossessed and I had to explain to my disabled son why we were shopping for groceries at food pantries and Big Lots. I love my job. I don’t do it because I think I will be rich. I do it because I’m helping the community.”
– Angela De Bello-Herrera,
Eligibility Supervisor DPSS
“My husband and I work for the county. The 8% we are going to have to start paying … we can’t afford that. Now I hear another 5% cut across the board, that’s 26% of my family income. I’ll lose my house. I’ll lose everything. When the bottom are being cut and the top are being offered more money to attract top talent… What about the talent you already have? You have wonderful, hard working, dedicated loyal employees. There has to be other ways to find places to cut.”
– Lori Williams,
Accounting Technician II
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