Imperial County court workers rally for fair pay and better treatment
Adrik Vargas
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – Court workers in Imperial County gathered outside the main courthouse in El Centro this morning, demanding fair pay, affordable healthcare, and better working conditions.
The workers, who are part of SEIU Local 221, say they’re struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living while continuing to serve the community.
They’ve spent the past two months meeting with management and even circulated a petition signed by a majority of union members to push for a fair contract.
“There are people who have been here a long time and have put up with a lot of things that we feel just aren’t right,” said court worker Sharmaine Jennings.
Jennings says the group wants real changes in policies and working conditions adding, “We deserve policies that we can support and stand behind. And the response so far just hasn’t been appropriate.”
Workers say if benefits and pay don’t improve soon, the county could lose valuable employees and face more unfilled positions.
Union members have delivered a supermajority petition to the CEO, calling for fair treatment and justice for themselves.