After months of bargaining with a county administration that refuses to address its staffing crisis — leaving its families, children, and seniors in danger  — SEIU 1021 members at Mendocino County held a strike school on Wednesday, June 28, to educate themselves about their rights and responsibilities should a strike be necessary.

Strike school began with Mendocino County Chapter President Julie Beardsley and field representative Patrick Hickey explaining the gravity of the situation.  Despite a staffing crisis in which the County’s family and children’s services are 40% vacant, the County’s transportation department is 44% vacant, and the County’s mental health clinicians are 70% vacant, the County is suggesting its employees pay more for their healthcare and retirement — an overall pay cut that will further prevent the County’s ability to apply a tourniquet to its staffing hemorrhage. 

Kerianne Steele, a partner at the union-side labor law firm Weinberg, Roger & Rosenfeld, explained the rights that union members have on strike. The Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed the rights for public sector county workers to strike. It is illegal for management to retaliate against any worker for going on strike. Workers on strike are still considered employees while on strike and should be allowed to return to work after the strike in the same manner as they were before the strike.

“Strike school gave me a forum to ask questions and express my concerns,” said SEIU 1021 member and county program administrator Veronica Wilson. “SEIU was able to address all my concerns, answer my questions, and provided additional information I didn’t even know I needed. I am ready to go on strike.”

As for next steps, Mendocino County workers will be rallying and picketing on Tuesday, July 11, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., at the intersection of State Street and Perkins Street in Ukiah, to demand that the County develop a strategic plan to improve its staffing crisis.