Employees feel disrespected over loss of loyalty bonus in Merced County labor talks

Merced County’s most veteran employees stand to lose a loyalty bonus they’ve gotten for nearly 15 years – a move several long-term workers likened to a slap in the face right before the holidays.

County administrators have been in negotiations with 11 of 12 employee unions since April. The decision not to renew the loyalty bonus – which provided $750 to employees who’ve worked for the county 10 years or more – was at the center of current labor negotiations.

The Board of Supervisors approved eliminating the loyalty bonus for its “unrepresented management” employees in August, but now members of the county’s largest union – the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 2703 – also could be denied the benefit.

Of the nearly 1,000 county employees represented by AFSCME, about 380 were eligible for the bonus. Several employees told the Merced Sun-Star they looked forward to getting the annual bonus in time for Christmas shopping and other holiday expenses.

“It’s a tremendous hardship,” said Kristy Waskiewicz, business agent with AFSCME Local 2703. “Many of our employees are single parents who rely upon this to provide for their children. And to pick their pockets like this at the holidays, that’s just cruel.”

Waskiewicz said cutting the loyalty bonuses isn’t related to a financial hardship. County leaders just don’t want to continue the program.

“The county’s hired negotiator has said repeatedly that it is not a financial issue, that the county is not claiming inability to pay,” she said. “The most we can get as a response is, ‘the Board of Supervisors doesn’t want to give it anymore.’”

County Executive Officer Jim Brown declined comment on the negotiations, saying it would be “inappropriate to comment” on details. Human Resources Director Marci Barrera also declined comment.

Waskiewicz said county employees have taken hits for several years, agreeing to wage cuts and furloughs and suffering through layoffs. The employees haven’t gotten raises in years, but Board of Supervisors members got a 1.4 percent increase July 1, boosting their salaries from $96,904 to $98,261 a year.

Two board members – District 1 Supervisor John Pedrozo and District 2 Supervisor Hub Walsh – rejected the salary increase. Walsh said Wednesday he hopes financial circumstances improve enough to allow the county to reinstate the benefit.

“I remind people that I did not take the raise,” Walsh said. “And hopefully, circumstances will be improving. We value our folks and the work that they do for the county.”

Rita Rodriguez, a 22-year employee of the county’s Public Health Department, would have put the money toward her daughter’s college tuition. Rodriguez said she hasn’t gotten a raise in at least 10 years, while benefits and insurance costs have gone up.

“I’m going to be cutting corners,” Rodriguez, 60, said. “Things are going to be a little tighter. I’m not going to be doing as much shopping because I have to budget my money for my daughter.”

The Planada resident, who’s contacted the Board of Supervisors about the issue, said getting rid of the loyalty bonus makes county employees feel unappreciated and disrespected.

“We’re down here in the trenches. We’re the ones dealing with the public and helping residents every day,” she added. “We’re very disappointed in our Board of Supervisors, and we just hope they will listen to us. We work hard all year long, so why are they depriving us that little drop in the bucket?”

Atwater resident Mary McWatters recently retired from her job as a Merced County probation officer after more than 30 years. The former AFSCME president said the union negotiated the loyalty bonus at least 15 years ago.

McWatters’ husband still works for Merced County, and the couple were counting on the bonus this year.

“This is like a huge slap in the face for us,” she said. “I believe it will make the holidays a lot tougher for some people. It’s hard to prepare for Christmas when you’re already in the hole and trying to make your bills. It’s definitely going to make things tighter.”

This story was originally published November 19, 2014 at 7:06 PM with the headline "Employees feel disrespected over loss of loyalty bonus in Merced County labor talks."