Shouting such slogans as “Services, not buildings!” about 50 members of the Service Employees International Union-Local 620 gathered June 10 at the Betteravia Government Center to protest Santa Barbara County’s plans for an expansion to the complex.
According to union member Darryl Scheck, the union is “frustrated and dismayed” that the county has budgeted $36 million over the next five years for the expansion, including $7 million for a new Board of Supervisors’ building at the site.
“Frankly, at a time when they’re talking about laying off employees and the county workforce has already dropped by approximately 8 1/2 percent over the last two years, we think the county needs to get its fiscal house in order and prioritize appropriately in terms of keeping services to the community that people need,” Scheck said. “The county needs to make employees the priority during a recession.”
Speaking on behalf of 5th District Supervisor Joe Centeno, aide Gil Armijo said Centeno is committed to social services and will not put any building projects ahead of the needs of the community.
The group marched down Lakeside Drive in front of the complex’s Administration Building for about half an hour, carrying picket signs that read “The county works because we do” and “Save our jobs.”
Union member Bill Haro, who works for Laguna County Sanitation in Orcutt, said he’s fed up with the county’s construction projects taking precedence over its workers.
“We just got over a furlough, we’ve given up money, and they just don’t seem to get the hint. Now they want more furloughs and to cut our wages,” Haro said. “I hope that they reconsider. There’s nothing wrong with that building.”
According to Scheck, who works for the County Clerk Recorder and Assessor’s Office, the county is asking all labor groups to give up five percent of next year’s wages. County employees took an eight-day furlough last year and would be willing to do it again, Scheck said, if the county would sit down with union representatives to discuss stemming the tide of layoffs.
SEIU-Local 620’s Field Services Director Bruce Corsaw said the union sees the need for additional North County jails, government offices, and pools, but starting those projects now would be irresponsible.
“You wouldn’t build an addition to your house if finances were tight—you’d hold off for better times,” Corsaw said. “Now is not the time to be doing capital improvements. Now is the time to pull back and try to salvage jobs.”
—Jeremy Thomas
This article appears in Jun 18-25, 2009.