VENTURA, Calif. (KEYT) – Ventura Superior Court workers didn't go to work on Tuesday morning, but they did go on strike for the first time.
Members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721 marched with signs around the Ventura Government Government center and held a midday rally.
They accused the CEO, Kate Bieker, of mismanagement and said morale plummeted when she started.
Spanish Language Interpreter Ramon Valdivieso said they feel disrespected and want a better contract.
He spoke to the crowd about the conditions.
"It is deplorable, horrendous. It is important that we stay here and stand out ground and don't let them push us around," said Valdivieso.
He thinks leadership is to blame.
"It started as soon as Bieker started working as CEO at this courthouse. We saw the changes, a lot of cuts and, as far as the interpreters, I can tell you that she has cut back on contractors and pretty much left the courtrooms at the mercy of only a handful of employees to cover every single courtroom."
He said they are not allowed to wear union lanyards in the building
Hayley Clifford is a court reporter who got emotional talking to the crowd.
"Just working in this courthouse is so tiring and staying engaged and feeling angry and feeling burnt out from the anger is very tiring, but the medicine for that is the solidarity and the joy of being together," said Clifford.
The crowd applauded her and rang purple SEIU cowbells.
"I just want to show just how important this is to so many people and we are doing this out of love for our jobs and wanting to show up and have respect and be able to get that back from the court," said Clifford. "We really feel honored to work here and that is what this is, this is an act of love."
Suzanne Maki is a Court Processing Assistant who works in Jury Services and would be the one to interact with prospective jurors.
She is a member of the bargaining team.
"Everything you see here today is because people overcame their fear, found their courage, because you have to have courage to stand up and fight back when things are just not right," said Maki.
They said it is not just about money in a contract.
"I would like it to be fair and equitable and something that improves the lives of all of the employees within the courthouse," said Maki.
Union leaders called it the first strike in the region since 2001 and they called the CEO "Out of Touch".
Bieker chose not to comment, but her Public Information Officer Michael Mayer sent a news release saying the court would remain open during the strike, but with limited services for the public.
It included a quote from the CEO that said in part:
"The Union's accusations that the Court has engaged in unfair labor practices or has violated the law is reckless, false, and harmful to the Court's reputation and its relationship with its employees."
The Court Executive Officer also said they offered a nine percent increase over three years more possible in the third year.
"It is our hope that the Court and the Union can reach an agreement soon so the Court and its employees can focus on the important work of providing justice for all," said Bieker.
The letter suggested people check with the court calendar to see if their matter is still scheduled.
Workers said they expect their bargaining team to be back at the negotiation table on Thursday.
Your News Channel will have more on the strike tonight on the news.
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