Probation Officers Vote to Take Job Action

County probation and correction services officers voted unanimously Wednesday night to step up pressure on county officials in their efforts for a pay raise and a new contract, the union’s president said.

The Ventura County Professional Peace Officers Assn. voted during its meeting to take an undisclosed type of job action aimed at getting the attention of county administrators.

“It could mean everything from sickouts and blue flu to midday strikes to strikes to work slowdowns,” said association President Bill Stewart.

Union members have requested a 4.7% pay increase but county officials have offered 2.5% over two years. The 300 officers have been working without a contract since December 1997.

Union officials say they will wait until their lawyers advise them on the ramifications of specific job actions before deciding what they will do.

“They are angry. More than anything they are just very disappointed at how the county has treated them,” Stewart said of the union’s members. “They feel they are loyal employees and they just wanted to be treated with respect.”

The peace officers union also decided this week to stage an informational protest on March 30 along with county nurses, who also are negotiating a contract.