HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmail received from Butte County employee, Loralean Drugich regarding contract negotiations Sweeney, Kathleen
From: Drugich-Clabaugh, Loralean
Sent: Saturday, January 11, 2014 8:55 PM
To: BOS District 4
Subject: BCEA Negotiations
To Steve Lambert:
My name is Loralean Drugich and I am an employee at Butte County Department of Behavioral Health-Crisis
Services. Being a Union Member of BCEA1, some recent news has been brought to my attention regarding the
negotiations for a contract. I was informed that you (and the rest of the Board of Supervisors) are proposing as
your 'best and final offer' a salary increase of 1% this year, 1%next year, and $50 off of our health insurance
cost for this year. I find this offer unfair for several reasons. The first is that I recently found out that several of
the other unions have received a 2% raise this year and yet you are only offering us 1%. Furthermore, it is my
understanding that the discount off of out insurance is mandated under the new healthcare law so that the
insurance plans are considered `affordable' and if this does not happen then you will have to pay a fine. That
being said, the `discount' really isn't considered much of an `offer' if you will be mandated to do so anyway.
Another point that I would like to make is that if you are offering anything less that 3% salary increase, this
does not keep up with the rate of inflation. As a nurse, I am needed in order for clients to be admitted to the
CSU. I currently reside in Rackerby CA and must drive an hour to work everyday. While I could state
additional reasons as to why a better offer is more appropriate, I will make my message brief and to the point:
The employees of Butte County Department of Behavioral Health are what determines the success of treating
mental illness in Butte County. Without us, the hospitals and law enforcement would be inundated with trying
to help our clients and the community as a whole would suffer. I am aware that a former employee of BCDBH
Justine Gamble contacted you regarding the poor rate of pay Butte County offers its nurses and it was
unfortunate that we had to lose her to another job that pays more. I am urging you to reconsider what you are
offering and I want you to know that I stand united with my fellow union members in making our voices heard.
Respectfully,
Loralean Drugich LVN
1
C66-5