Solano County workers initiated a two-day strike on March 5, 2024, demanding fair contracts from county administrators. The strike involved members from various unions, including SEIU Local 1021, IFPTE Local 21, IUOE Local 39, and the Union of American Physicians and Dentists. These workers provide essential services, such as mental health care, social services, and public safety.
Demonstrations were held at six locations throughout Solano County. Workers gathered outside the Solano Health and Human Services building early in the morning, with about 150 attendees at the Solano County Board of Supervisors meeting. More than a thousand workers later marched through downtown Fairfield, culminating in a demonstration outside the Solano County Government Center.
During the protests, officers from the Fairfield Police Department arrived in riot gear as marchers temporarily blocked traffic. Police issued warnings through loudspeakers, informing the protesters that traffic obstruction was illegal and that arrests could follow if they did not clear the roads. The marchers complied swiftly.
Katreena Dotson, a family health services employee, expressed her determination despite the chilly weather. “We’re feeling fired up, as we are saying, because we are just trying to fight for a fair contract,” she stated. Dotson acknowledged community concerns regarding potential service interruptions due to the strike but emphasized that the ultimate goal is to enhance service delivery.
The county has faced ongoing challenges related to recruitment and retention of staff. Union representatives argue that neighboring counties offer better compensation for similar roles. Dotson pointed out the disparity between the pay increases for the Board of Supervisors and the situation for frontline workers. “Our Board of Supervisors voted themselves an 18 percent pay increase at one of the board meetings to give themselves over $25,000 a year extra on their salaries, but they’re not coming to the table with something that is fair and equitable for all of us workers,” she noted.
Dotson also highlighted the impact of understaffing on the community’s access to services. “If we were fully funded and fully staffed, then we would be able to provide more services to the community,” she explained. Her sentiments reflect a broader concern that the strike is not solely for better pay but also for improved conditions for the residents who rely on these essential services.
Another striking worker, Dr. Jeanah Brayden, a pediatrician for the county, shared her motivation for participating in the strike. “I am here for the community,” she stated. Brayden, who has engaged in multiple bargaining sessions with the county, described this cycle as particularly challenging. “We have had multiple sessions with them, and they say they have been bargaining in good faith. Unfortunately, I don’t find it that way,” she commented, noting that meetings often concluded with dismissals of their proposals.
Support for the strikers was visible, with local leaders, including Vallejo City Councilmember Dr. Tonia Lediju, joining the protests to show solidarity with the workers.
In response to the strike, Solano County issued a statement asserting that negotiations had been conducted in good faith. “The County has engaged in extensive, good-faith negotiations with our employee unions for many months,” the statement read. The county claims to have proposed over $90 million in wage and benefit improvements. While acknowledging the existence of differences, the county expressed its commitment to reach an agreement that values employees’ contributions.
The strike underscores the ongoing tensions between county workers and administrators as they seek to address critical issues affecting public service delivery. As the demonstrations continue, both sides remain at the negotiating table, hoping to resolve the conflict and restore essential services to the community.
