D.A. Backs Lawyers in Dispute Over Dues

Calling local prosecutors and public defenders “woefully underpaid,” Ventura County Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury on Wednesday said he supports the lawyers in taking whatever steps are necessary to make sure the county government keeps its agreements with their fledgling union.

Bradbury’s statement of support came a day after the Criminal Justice Attorneys Assn. threatened to sue the county because of plans to discontinue deducting union dues from attorneys’ paychecks as the two sides hash out a bargaining agreement.

“It is imperative that the county treat these professionals fairly,” Bradbury said in a statement. He said the lawyers entered into a good-faith agreement with the county auditor-controller to deduct association dues and they have paid for the service.

“It is inappropriate for the county’s negotiating team to interfere with that agreement, and I support the attorneys taking whatever action is necessary and appropriate to enforce their agreement with the county auditor-controller,” Bradbury said.

The Criminal Justice Attorneys Assn. is made up of 70 prosecutors and 40 public defenders. The lawyers formed the union six months ago, contending that their pay and benefits have steadily decreased since they left the largest county employees union six years ago.