HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmail received from Butte County employee, Darren Holley regarding contract negotiations Sweeney, Kathleen
From: Holley, Darren
Sent: Monday, January 13, 2014 6:51 AM
To: BOS District 4
Subject: Union Negotiations
To Steve Lambert:
My name is Darren Holley and I am writing you in regards to the negotiations that are currently going on
between BCEA and Butte County. I have been a counselor on the Crisis Stabilization Unit for two years and I
am proud to be in a position to help others in their time of need. My union recently informed me that for your
'best and final offer' for the contract negotiations is $50.00 off of our health insurance as well as a 1% raise this
year and next year. My union also informed me that this fifty dollar discount is required in order to make the
health insurance `affordable' according to the new healthcare laws. It is my understanding that inflation
increases on average at approximately 3%per year if my knowledge of finance serves me correctly. That being
said, I feel your offer falls quite short of what could be considered fair. Some of my co-workers have informed
me that you have given many of the other unions a 2%raise and yet you are only offering us 1%. I am curious
as to the reason for this. As for the $50.00 decrease in our health insurance, I do not see this as an `offer' at all.
I was informed that if you do not give us a $50.00 discount you will be paying a fine under the new Affordable
Care Act. Many of my co-workers are struggling just to make ends meet and this offer seems unfair
considering what it is that many Crisis Services employees do for the county. Were it not for Crisis Services
employees, the police and hospitals would be flooded with mental health clients who are in need of support.
We are the people who handle the emergencies in mental health, and without us the community as a whole
would suffer. I am writing you this not to complain, but to encourage you to reconsider your offer and create a
fair contract between BCEA and Butte County. By doing this, you will not only help individual employees in
their own struggles, but it will enable employees to have less stress in their lives and help the community to the
best of their ability. I stand united with my union members on this issue and appreciate you taking time out of
your busy day to read this.
Sincerely,
Darren Holley BHC
Crisis Stabilization Unit
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