HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03221988 - T.1 f r _
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THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY,' CALIFORNIA
Adopted this Order on March 22, 1988 by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Powers, Fanden, McPeak, Torlakson and Schroder
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
SUBJECT: Presentation by Social Services Union SEIU Local 535
This is the time set for the presentation by SEIU Local 535,
Social Services Union, to bring to the Board' s attention certain
issues related to the operation of the Social Service Department.
Phil Batchelor, County Administrator, reviewed the
reorganization program undertaken by the Social Service Department.
James A. Rydingsword, Director of the Social Service
Department, outlined the steps he had taken to date in the
reorganization of the Department, and the efforts he has made to
establish clearer lines of authority and clearer lines of
communication within the Department and to reduce management without
layoffs or impact on any individual. He advised that while
implementing this reorganization, he was also attempting to keep open
lines of communication with the employee organizations.
Mr. Bruce Peaslee, President of SEIU, Local 535, appeared
and related the concerns of the members of Local 535 with respect to
the operation of the Social Services Department and to place in the
record their objections to proposed service cuts.
Mr. Peaslee advised that various employees will be
commenting on the areae with which they individually are most familiar
and introduced the following speakers:
Randy Johnese, Senior Field Representative for Local 535,
who presented a copy of a petition signed by a majority of the Local' s
members and given to Mr. Rydingsword on March 2, 1988.
Alyn Goldsmith, Children' s Services Division.
Charlene Raines, Children' s Services Division.
Jerry Zeyer, Vocational Counselor.
Barbara Dallas, Eligibility Worker
Steffanie Harms, Eligibility Worker Specialist
Sheila Mack, new employee
LaVonne Gates, Placement Worker, Muir Road
Mr. Peaslee recapped the requests of the members of Local
535 as .follows:
1. Immediately provide adequate staffing for programs for
children' s welfare services.
2. Direct that the Department develop a process with Local
535 that will assure adequate employee input.
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3 , Not allow the Department to use GAIN money . to offset
salary costs and use services cuts to make budgetary savings.
Jim Hicks, Business Agent for AFSCME 512 and 2700, declared
his support for the concerns of Local 535, and discussed the impact of
the rumors of possible layoffs and reduction in support personnel
while the workload is increasing and the need to meet and confer with
the Social Service Department.
Chairman Schroder expressed appreciation for the concern for
the client shown by those appearing before the Board this day.
Board members shared their appreciation for the presentation
made to them and expressed their interests in the concerns of the
staff and their desire to work with them to find solutions.
IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the presentation by
representatives of the Social Services Union, SEIU Local 535 is
ACKNOWLEDGED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the issues of morale, alleged
lack of communication, caseload size, priority setting (particularly
relative to Children' s Services) and the cost effectiveness of the
` changes and other issues of concern are REFERRED to staff and the
Finance Committee.
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As recommended by Supervisor McPeak, IT IS FURTHER ORDERED
THAT the County Administrator and the Social Services Director are
REQUESTED to report on the relationship of drug and alcohol abuse on
the increased workload of the Social Services Department.
;,wreby cerfify that Chis is a true and correct copy 01
3n action taken arid entered can the minutes of thO
Board of supervIsors on the date shoe,.
cc: County Administrator ATTESTED: - .101 ,. 1,1
Social Service Director PHIL �b�iP�f-"mLOR, Clerk of the Maard
Finance Committee members cof Supervisors and County Administrator
R-," ......... Deputy
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