The largest public sector union in Santa Clara County, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 521, has announced a tentative agreement with county officials on a new contract. This agreement, which includes the largest wage increase for workers in over two decades, averts a strike that had been authorized in June.
The deal, which represents over 12,000 public-sector workers in the county, is set to provide a 13% wage increase for employees over three years, plus a one-off lump sum payment of $1,200 per worker.
The agreement also promises equity raises and additional wage gains for roles currently below market rates, such as public health nurses, to make these positions more appealing and tackle staffing shortages. Union members are expected to ratify the new agreement in the next two weeks, with a formal ratification vote by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to follow.
Riko Mendez, SEIU Local 521 Chief Elected Officer, stated in a release, “Our union stood firm in demanding a fair contract, new gains, and protections for our members and families in Santa Clara County.”
He added, “We still have work to do to grow our way out of the short staffing and turnover exacerbated by the pandemic, but because of the resiliency and commitment of frontline county workers, we secured one of the best deals in the history of Santa Clara County.”