FRESNO (KMJ) — The break down in negotiations between Fresno County Superior Court and its workers represented by SEIU Local 521 has resulted in a strike.
Hundreds of court reporters, court office assistants, judicial assistants, and child custody recommending counselors all took part in the walkout Tuesday morning.
“We are asking for a contract that is fair for the employees,” said Court Reporter and SEIU Local 521 Chapter President Denise Dedmon.
“We want to be able to serve the public. We are very serious about our job and in order to do that we have to protect ourselves. We have to get the resources from the Court and they’re not offering us anything to do that.”
The deal offered by Fresno County Superior Court included increasing court reporters’ hours from 35 per week to 37.5 per week, a 3% raise for all other staff, increasing health insurance contributions, a one-time $200 cash payment per employee, and four hours of personal time off.
The union asked for court reporters hours to be increased to 40 per week, a 4% raise, and a cost of living adjustment.
Operations at Fresno County Superior Court continued as normal with limited staff. Striking workers warned that the action would last indefinitely until a deal between the two sides was reached.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
