State Workers Picket for Pay Hikes, Contracts

Demanding a pay raise and protesting two years without a contract, state employees in Ventura joined hundreds of colleagues who rallied in several locations across California on Thursday.

Dressed in bright clothing and holding homemade sign boards, about 15 state employees assembled at Victoria Avenue and Telephone Road in Ventura between noon and 1 p.m. to draw attention to what they say is unfair treatment by Gov. Pete Wilson.

“The cost of living has gone up, and we have had no raise to keep up with it. Wilson has the money now, but he is reluctant to give it to us,” said Fred Afuso of Newbury Park. Afuso has worked as a state court reporter in Ventura for 23 years.

More than 500 workers protested at four locations in Southern California and in Sacramento on Thursday, according to officials with the California State Employees Assn., which helped organize the rallies.

Union officials said the Thursday protests were just a few of many this month timed to coincide with the final phases of state budget deliberations. Union spokeswoman Janet Coffman said that while the Legislature has earmarked a 5% pay increase for state workers in this year’s budget, Wilson may try to persuade lawmakers to reduce or withdraw the raise before the budget is finalized.

Union representatives also said they hope the protests would bring attention to other issues that have stalled negotiations and left state workers without a contract since 1995.

Specifically, the union complains that Wilson is trying to substitute state employees’ automatic pay increases with raises predicated exclusively on performance.

“We think his proposal will create favoritism and will be arbitrary and therefore will lead to decreased productivity,” Coffman said. While refusing to comment on specific contract issues, Wilson’s office responded to the state employees’ protests with disdain.

“These childish public relations gimmicks by the CSEA have no effect on the governor’s decision for a pay raise for state employees. As a matter of fact, we’re getting a little fed up with their little stunts,” said spokesman Ron Low.

State workers in Ventura, including employees of the Worker’s Compensation Appeals Board and the Department of Health Services, had pressing concerns on their minds.

“My biggest worry is that without a contract, I don’t know what will happen with my benefits. My husband is self-employed and we have five kids, so benefits are really important to me,” said Maxine McKaig, a clerical worker for the Department of Health Services.