BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — Following the announcement of an anticipated strike from Kern County workers on March 5th, the county says there will be closures to departments and limited services on that day.
This comes after county workers are planning a strike in regards to a wage increase.
A release from Kern County on Monday lists some of the departments and services impacted on March 5th:
Aging and Adult Services:
- Closed to the public
Airport:
- Commercial flights will continue as scheduled.
- Admin offices will be closed.
Animal Services:
- Closed to the public, will reopen 3/6.
Child Support Services:
- All offices will be closed to the public.
District Attorney:
- Closed to the public.
General Services:
- Closed to the public.
Human Services:
- All offices will be closed to the public.
Libraries:
- All will be closed.
Public Health:
- Closed to the public.
Veterans Service:
- Closed to the public.
Emergency Services from KCSO and KCFD will still be available on that day.
In response to the county about their closures and limited services, SEIU said in an emailed statement:
“Every day county workers endure severe understaffing across all departments—from critically short-staffed 9-1-1 call centers to overwhelmed child protective services struggling to support families, and behavioral and mental health services who don’t have the staff they need to curb rising homelessness and overdoses. Kern County is in crisis, and frontline workers are striking to demand change.
The County Board of Supervisors can avert this strike by addressing workers' concerns about short staffing and high turnover, which are limiting our ability to keep Kern families safe and healthy. Instead, along with County administrators, they decided to ignore workers and even take unlawful actions to prevent workers from exercising their right to bargain and advocate for better county services.
Striking is a last resort, but it’s the only way to end the county’s failure to meet Kern families' basic needs. The public should visit www.fixkern.com [fixkern.com] to learn more.”
To see our previous story on the SEIU workers and their demands watch below:
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