On Thursday, July 20, Mendocino County workers rallied in the midst of a strike vote to save county services.

Despite total revenue for Mendocino County having increased 44.8% since 2019-2020, the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors has continued to bargain in bad faith with its employees. In the most recent negotiations, the County suggested that its employees pay more for their healthcare and retirement – an overall pay cut that will further harm the County’s ability to address its staffing crisis.

Amid rumblings of the state auditor launching an investigation into the County’s finances and warnings from outside investment analysts of the County’s questionable practices, the Board has failed to take decisive action to stabilize staffing and pursue uncollected revenues, ultimately placing the County’s families, children, and elderly at risk.

“We love the work we do,” said SEIU 1021 Mendocino County Chapter President Julie Beardsley, a senior public health analyst for the county. “We would rather not have to go on strike. Unfortunately, the County has left us no other choice. We are voting to authorize a strike to save County services – the services that keep our community’s families, children, and elderly safe.” 

Mendocino County has a county-wide vacancy rate of 29%. Among the critical staffing shortages jeopardizing the health, safety, and well-being of county residents, including the most vulnerable, are:

• A nearly 40% vacancy rate in Family & Children’s Services — putting at-risk kids in danger;
• A 44% vacancy rate in Department of Transportation road crews, meaning our roads don’t get paved or repaired in a timely manner; and
• A 70% vacancy rate for mental health clinicians.