Community Rally Supports Jackson County Services
DO NOT CUT QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICES !, 15.07.2010 14:11
July 14, 2010 -- Medford, Oregon
Jackson County citizens rallied with strong support for county workers & for county services. Local organizations such as the Southern Oregon Central Labor Council, Oregon Action and Jobs with Justice stood side by side with workers in front of the old Jackson County Courthouse. "Enough is enough: We Demand Quality Public Services."
- CONTRACT BARGAINING PROBLEMS -
The harsh, unreasonable and unwarranted demands of county negotiators do NOT have community support. The taxes we pay get the best bang for the buck when we invest in a workforce that provides top notch services. Jackson County employees have done their share in downsizing government this last few years. At its peak several years ago the Jackson County budget supported a workforce of over 700 employees while today the numbers are below 550. Fewer workers work harder while at the same time this workforce has made concessions year after year.
Photos of Rally (click to make larger)
Jim Alexander's sign says it all
Laure Collins speaks at rally
Oregon Action Demonstrates Support
Jobs with Justice shows support
JCEA President Morgan delivers petitions to Management
Pickets on sidewalk
Beverly from Oregon Action is interviewd
Workers stand adjacent to Main Street in Medford
SEIU's Laure Collins fires up crowd
Jackson County workers and supporters demonstrated at noon at the county courthouse (10 South Oakdale in Medford). The workers, who are represented by Local 503 of the Service Employees International Union, are working under a 30-day extension of the prior contract, which expired June 30.
Look at a photo which shows Jackson County Employee Association President Morgan delivering a stack of petitions to Jackson County Management. The petitions were filled with signatures showing broad community support for the county workers.
Despite a willingness of employees to negotiate a settlement that recognizes the impact of the current economic downturn and seeks to preserve services without any big hits to the county budget, the county is insisting that employees accept terms that would effectively eliminate any semblance of job and wage security. Examples: The county wants the right to dictate an unlimited number of unpaid furlough days and to serious erode medical coverage.
Today's rally sent one clear message for the current contract bargaining between Jackson County and the workers who provide quality public services:
F A I R * C O N T R A C T * N O W ! ! !
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