Local County Workers Need Your Help

More than 200 workers in our community who provide essential services to keep Tuolumne County running, are facing hardship.  These workers, represented by Operating Engineers Local 3 labor union, are in contract negotiations with county representatives and have been trying to get a fair and equitable contract for months.  Their rate of pay is not aligned with inflation and cost-of-living increases.  In fact, County officials recognize that their employees’ rate of pay is below market by 15-30 percent, and yet their proposal does nothing to repair this discrepancy.  In fact, the County’s proposal will put them further behind, as the County is asking that workers fund all increases in healthcare costs – estimated to be 11 percent in 2027. Therefore, the purchasing power of these essential workers has fallen behind.  Many can no longer afford basic needs.  At the same time, members of the Board of Supervisors have publicly acknowledged that the County has a surplus ranging from $7 million to $10 million!

Despite our best efforts to resolve this issue, no progress has been made.  We have approached these discussions in good faith, with the goal of finding solutions that benefit both the individual workers performing this work and the community they serve.  Our priority is to secure an agreement that reflects the dedication and hard work of this local workforce, while ensuring the quality and reliability of the services they provide which Tuolumne County residents and their community depend on. Please don’t allow these workers to be forced to quit their jobs for better-paying work elsewhere.  If the skilled and trained workforce that keeps the County running leaves, who will fill these gaps? Possibly untrained, out-of-town workers who could compromise the safety and security of our residents.