Catherwood LibraryILR School

County workers in Monterey County, California continued the fight over representation today as the Board of Supervisors voted on the latest labor contract. A group of workers are unhappy with the current union, Service Employees International Union Local 521, and are advocating for a switch to the National Union of Healthcare workers. Julie Filice, a former secretary-treasurer in the SEIU local, asked today that the board not approve the contract union members ratified last week, saying that it had been voted on amidst intimidation and electioneering. If the contract remained undecided by its expiration the end of the month, employees would have a chance to choose new representation. However, the Board ratified the contract unanimously, which does not include new benefits or wages, and despite Ms. Filice's claims. Both unions have filed complaints, and federal and state labor boards have begun investigating the situation.