Anti-Poverty Chief Takes Leave Over Pay Negotiations

John Flores, president of Orange County’s largest anti-poverty agency, has placed himself on administrative leave while the agency’s board considers his demands for substantially higher pay and benefits.

Flores’ attorney hand-delivered a letter to the Orange County Community Development Council board chairman last Friday that said Flores was unhappy with negotiations over his contract and would take an unpaid leave beginning Monday.

Flores, whose two-year contract expires May 7, receives $47,700 a year. His demand for higher wages and benefits, sources said Thursday, has triggered a “battle of egos” between Flores and board members.

CDC Board Chairman Herbert Schwartz said, “I was surprised (by Flores’ letter).” Schwartz added that the board voted Wednesday night to withdraw all offers previously made to Flores but to continue negotiations.

Schwartz said he hopes that Flores remains with the agency.

Flores was out of town Thursday and could not be reached. His attorney, Elliott Samulon, said contract negotiations have “sort of” reached an impasse. “We haven’t received a written response to a letter about a month ago,” Samulon said.

He declined to comment on Flores’ actions or to reveal Flores’ wage and benefit demands.

But some sources said Flores had asked for a pay raise of at least 15% per year plus other benefits.

In the meantime, Julius Cartwright, the agency’s fiscal officer, has been designated interim president, said Jim Hamlett, council spokesman.

It’s not the first time that Flores, who has directed the agency since May, 1984, has surprised the board with a job action. In November, 1985, Flores resigned when a board member scheduled a hearing to hear an employee’s grievance about Flores and did not tell Flores about the meeting. Flores argued that the board member had overstepped his authority.

Flores later withdrew his resignation. “The one commitment I got,” Flores said at the time, “is that there will be better distinction between the roles of the board and the executive director.”

Operating with a $6-million annual budget, the council’s mission is to provide vital services, including free food, transportation and health care, to the county’s poor.

The agency, which marked its 20th anniversary in 1984, has suffered a stormy history of high staff turnover, fighting among board members and accusations of mismanagement.

But Flores has been credited with turning the agency around.