Union Negotiations to Wait on Tax Vote

Ventura County officials and service employees’ union representatives have delayed contract negotiations until after voters decide in November whether to extend a half-cent sales tax.

“Because of the fiscal uncertainties, we want to postpone negotiations until we have a better handle on the budget,” said County Personnel Director Ron Komers.

Komers said the county officials hope to open negotiations on Nov. 20 with the 4,100-member Service Employees International Union, Local 998.

County voters will decide on Nov. 2 whether to extend the sales tax, which is due to expire at the end of the year. The tax raises $26 million to $30 million each year for the county.

Without the tax money, many departments could be forced to cut their budgets by 25%--a move that would impact union talks and future wage increases.

The union contract was due to expire on June 23, but supervisors agreed to extend it until Aug. 28 because of budget problems. Komers said he will ask the supervisors to ratify a second delay at their meeting today.