1. Union Employees Call for Fair Compensation Amid Rising Cost of Living Representatives from three employee unions (Employees Association, Engineer Society, and Professional Managers Association) presented unified concerns about wages failing to keep pace with Santa Clara County's high cost of living, where the poverty line was recently set at $160,000 annually and nearly 70% of association members earn below this threshold. The unions emphasized that while employees have been asked to do more with fewer staff and growing responsibilities, including life-threatening creek work conditions, their cost-of-living adjustments have lagged behind executive compensation. They requested the board approve contracts with strong living wages, fair COLA increases, and inclusion of telework provisions in their MOUs, noting that telework flexibility supports work-life balance and is a critical factor in recruitment.
Already have an account? Sign In
