The largest union representing Merced County employees voted to authorize a strike Saturday, following months of negotiations that have failed to result in an agreement.

Brianna Vaccari

The Merced FOCUS

Jerald Phelps, president of AFSCME Local 2703, confirmed the news with The Merced FOCUS. He said its the first time the union has authorized a strike in more than three decades.

“(County negotiators) have told us they have reached the limits of authority the board has authorized. Our members have voted to reject their proposal and authorize a strike,” Phelps said in a text message.

The union also posted on its Instagram page that 93.5% of its members voted to reject an offer from county negotiators.

It’s still unclear when a strike would begin. Phelps said in the text message the union still has to hear the county’s “last, best and final” offer.

“AFSCME 2703 represents over a thousand county employees at the table. We have members in every location within the county, and although the county fails to acknowledge our members’ importance they are a vital resource when it comes to public safety,” Phelps added.

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County negotiators and the union have been meeting for several months. A big issue has been skyrocketing healthcare costs. Employees have said the increase in health costs alone has wiped out any pay raises they’ve received in the last decade.

County employees have also complained that wages have not kept up with the cost of living. They say the county’s latest offer included a 0% increase for raises.

The county is also facing an economic crisis. Supervisors recently passed the proposed 2024-25 budget. But department directors have been ordered to make cuts to help the county address a $6.6 million shortfall.

The final budget is expected to be adopted in September.

About the Author

Brianna Vaccari is the accountability and government watchdog reporter for the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative.