Latest news with #CountyWorkers
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Champaign Co. employees will strike Wednesday if no agreement reached
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County employees plan to strike beginning Wednesday if a new contract is not settled before then. In May, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) workers voted to authorize a strike if necessary — after their previous agreement expired at the end of last year. Then on June 30, county workers represented by AFSCME sent a five-day notice of the union's intent to strike to county management. The county workers said they're fighting for fair wages and to keep health insurance costs low. Champaign Co. workers rallying for better contracts 'For too many of us, county wages aren't living wages. They start at less than $16 an hour, and a third of all county workers make less than $20 an hour,' Cecelia Phillips, a Deputy Clerk in the Circuit Clerk's office and president of AFSCME Local 900, said in a news release. 'Yet management has barely moved at the bargaining table, and they won't offer us any guarantee that our health insurance costs won't spike by as much as 150%. That's unacceptable.' Bargaining began at 9 a.m. on Tuesday. Union representatives said they plan to to stay at the table 'as long as it takes' to reach an agreement. 'When we took our strike vote in May, we said clearly that while nobody wants to strike, we're willing to do what's necessary to ensure fair pay and affordable health care,' Phillips said. 'The time for talk is over; now it's time for action.' PREVIOUSLY: AFSCME protests at Champaign Co. Courthouse, warns of possible strike if new contract isn't complete soon AFSCME members include Courthouse, Brookens Administrative Center, the Highway Department, Animal Control, the Coroner's office, and County Jail workers. WCIA reached out to Steve Summers, the county executive, for a statement regarding county workers planning to strike if a new contract is not settled. 'County Administration and AFSCME are meeting with a mediator today. The County is committed to continuing negotiations until we reach a fair and equitable agreement,' Summers said in a statement sent to WCIA. WCIA will continue to provide more information once it becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Pinellas County workers training to run hurricane shelters ahead of 2025 season
The Brief Pinellas County workers are going through their final training on how to run shelters as hurricane season begins on Sunday. Workers were presented with information they needed to know, especially having activated four times in three years. About 100 county staff members work with county school staff, police, fire and cafeteria workers to keep the evacuation shelters running. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - One of the most important things to know is where you'll go when a storm hits, and Pinellas County workers are going through their final training on how to run shelters as hurricane season begins on Sunday. "We had around 1,700 people for Hurricane Helene and close to 14,000 for Hurricane Milton," said Adam Pedzich, the response and recovery manager for Pinellas County government. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube Big picture view Those Pinellas County residents came to shelters when they needed a safe place to stay during the storm for themselves and their pets. This hurricane season, county workers are training staff to make sure they're ready to do it again. "We do 10 trainings so far this year where we bring in the staff, and it's everything from the administrative paperwork to how to set up a shelter to how to register someone," said Pedzich. Pedzich presented information on what workers need to know, especially having activated four times in three years, from Ian to Idalia, Helene and Milton. READ: Hurricane Season 2025: Duke Energy gives inside look at control center "It's stressful for our staff. It's stressful for the residents. That's one of the things we teach is just kind of that mental health component," said Pedzich. "We can help deescalate situations, so we don't have to get law enforcement. Sometimes people just need somebody to talk to." Dig deeper About 100 county staff members work with county school staff, police, fire and cafeteria workers to keep the evacuation shelters running at local schools. "Even after those shelters close, especially last year, people still need a place to go. Maybe their house was damaged. So then, we may move to a recreation center or a church in collaboration with some of our other partners to keep that shelter ongoing after we're out of the schools," Pedzich said. Hopefully, Pinellas won't have to issue any evacuations and open shelters. But if the time comes, county workers are ready. MORE: St. Pete residents struggle to rebuild ahead of hurricane season as HUD funding plans take shape "Sometimes, even if you're not in an evacuation order, it may be a good idea for you to come to a shelter. Just have your plan in place and know where you're going to go," said Pedzich. What you can do Pinellas County officials said they always have a general population, pet-friendly and special needs shelters available for residents. They have a free hurricane expo on Saturday, May 31, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Willis S. Johns Recreation Center in St. Petersburg. The Source The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Briona Arradondo. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
