Social Service Strike Canceled--for Now

Workers at the nonprofit Tri-Counties Regional Center in Oxnard called off their planned one-day protest strike Wednesday after management submitted a last-minute labor proposal, union officials said.

But union leaders predicted a rank-and-file rejection of the offer to settle the first labor contract since workers unionized more than a year ago. Another strike date is likely, leaders added.

“The offer probably isn’t enough,” said Gregory Cross, field representative of the Social Services Union, Local 535. The union represents about 35 employees at the Oxnard office and 100 agency workers in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

Tri-Counties Regional Center works with developmentally disabled people and helps them find jobs.

Management officials in the Oxnard office did not return calls requesting comment.

Cross said about 65% of the center’s workers voted to unionize more than a year ago. Since then, union and management have been trying to hammer out a labor agreement but cannot come to terms on many issues, Cross said.

The union has filed complaints of unfair labor practice against the agency with the National Labor Relations Board. The union alleges that management is negotiating in bad faith by withholding crucial information and using regressive bargaining and other tactics.