Solano County Supervisors hear get an earful from strikers

Jan. 13—Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Striking Solano County workers packed the Board of Supervisors chambers Tuesday — the first day of a planned two-day walkout — accusing county leadership of unfair labor practices and of using employee health insurance as leverage in stalled contract negotiations.

Backed by four county employee unions and hundreds of strikers across six organizing sites, workers urged supervisors to return to the bargaining table, warning that the county's approach is inflicting unnecessary harm on employees and the services they provide.

Union leaders and rank-and-file workers called for 5 percent annual wage increases over the next three years — a proposal they noted would still fall short of the 18 percent raise supervisors approved for themselves last year — and condemned what they described as pressure tactics that pushed employees onto the picket line.

Michael Kitzes, Former VUSD Board President, IFPTE member and a mental healthcare professional with Solano County, argued that using health insurance coverage as a bargaining tool is unethical.

"Holding healthcare over our heads is unethical and it's immoral. I want you to hear this and I know that all of you are important," he said.

Kitzes compared the county's tactics to abusive parents that he sees as a family and marriage counselor.

"You have positional power," he said. "We are a Solano family. You are the head."

As Kitzes' time ran out, Chair Monica Brown began to attempt to cut him off, but Kitzes continued without raising his voice.

"Monica, you can cut me off... I'm losing $700, I have one more thing to say," he said.

A Solano County press release last week noted that the County Administration has settled negotiations with five unions — Kitzes also argued this was morally wrong and an effort to put pressure on the majority of county employees.

"You bought off the other five unions that are less than 10 percent of us to put pressure on us," he said.

Interestingly enough, the county issued a press release following Tuesday's meeting to announce that the board had approved a new three-year labor agreement with the Solano County Sheriff's Custody Association, representing Correctional Officers. The deal gives those employees pay hikes of 3 percent for 2025-26; 2 percent for 2026-27; and 1 percent for 2027-28

Justin Decker of IFPTE Local 21 said the situation with the other unions did not need to deteriorate to this point, but the county administration's unwillingness to bargain fairly led to the strike.

"It did not need to come to this," he said. "We gave the county numerous off-ramps."

Decker encouraged county administration to come to the table and negotiate in good faith before greater long-term damage is done.

"There is a long-term relationship here that matters," he said. "It is not too late to save it, but the clock is ticking."

Chung Park of the IUOE Stationary Local 39 reminded the supervisors that their front-line workers are the ones striking for better conditions.

"This is your workforce," he said. "They run the county, not you guys. They come in to work every single day. You guys could be gone and the county would function."

Park said the county's unwillingness to negotiate fairly has led to a

"You put us in a situation where we are going to be linked arms now, tomorrow and forever," he said.

Supervisor Wanda Williams began to cry as striking workers spoke to the board. About 150 strikers attended the meeting, holding signs and ringing cowbells to support their fellow workers as they spoke. Multiple strikers called out County Administrator Ian Goldberg by name and encouraged him to do better by county employees.

Joe Ortiz of SEIU said he would rather be working than striking, but felt compelled to go without pay because negotiations have not budged for months.

"You've come to the table with nothing... Stop holding medical as a hostage and forcing us to sign something that is not in our best interests. Come to the table prepared."

Simone Arnette, Vice President of SEIU 1021, also spoke at the meeting.

"This is the county I grew up in. I went to school here," she said. "You guys talk about Solano County as a Family, as a place to live work and play. I don't get much play because I can't afford it."

Arnette noted that workers deal directly with the most vulnerable people in the county who are most in need of services, but also work more broadly with all kinds of constituents and voters for the board.

"We are here trying to serve the community that raised us," she said.

Arnette reiterated that the board increased its own pay last year before claiming to be in difficult financial straits when staff contracts came up.

"You keep telling us that there is no money, there is no money, there was money for your raise," she said. "There was money a year ago for the 18 percent raise the board got."

Lisa Castillo, an 11 year old child of a Solano County Worker, also pleaded with the board and administration to negotiate fairly.

"All I have to say is to please be fair," she said. "My mom and many others have worked so hard...They deserve a fair contract."

As public comment concluded, strikers left the room chanting, "What do we want? Contract! When do we want it? Now!" Kitzes pleaded with the board to continue negotiations as he left the room, and both Williams and Brown stepped off the dias as the chanting continued.

Niger Edwards, human resources director for Solano County, said they have met with the Solano County Sheriff's Custody Association. The union's agreement was signed on December 31 and includes side letters to ensure that the association receives any benefits achieved by the groups still striking.

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