Carson Acosta, regional director for SEIU Local 721, told the Ventura County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 13 that union members have authorized an unfair-labor-practice strike vote and urged the board to give county negotiators authority to settle bargaining disputes before open enrollment deadlines.

The union representatives said bargaining has lasted more than 10 weeks and that members passed the strike authorization by an overwhelming 98 percent. "Our members have been bargaining for over 10 weeks, and unfortunately, due to the numerous unfair labor practices by the county, our members have decided to take the historic step of authorizing an unfair labor practice strike vote," Acosta told the board. He said members needed the board's support so negotiators could reach an agreement that preserves wage increases and protects health-care benefits.

Why it matters: SEIU represents many county employees across agencies including Health Services Agency (HSA), Public Works and Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC). Union leaders said unresolved contract terms and higher out-of-pocket health-care costs could prompt staff departures and harm service continuity.

Steve Koffroth, SEIU Local 721's director of collective bargaining research and chief negotiator, told the board the union has proposed ways to address health-plan cost increases and criticized the county's market-based pay adjustments as "designed to always keep employees under market." "We need to resolve our contract issues by November 21 in order to inform employee elections for open enrollment, which closes on November 23," Koffroth said, pressing for authority to the county bargaining team to finalize a deal.

Union demands and concerns included preventing unilateral management changes, addressing alleged surveillance, establishing market-level pay (the union asked for at least median wage targets), and adding general salary increases that reflect Ventura County's cost of living. Acosta said members deserve a "living wage and a quality standard of employment." Koffroth said without changes the county will continue to lose staff and struggle with recruitment and retention.

Board procedure: After the two public comments the board moved into the closed session listed as agenda item 5. A staff member announced there would be no reportable announcements from the closed session and the board could adjourn afterward.

What was not said: No county management or board member responses to the union's specific allegations were recorded in the public comments portion of the meeting. No formal motions or votes on bargaining authority were taken in public during this session.

Next steps: The board held the matter in closed session; the transcript records no public action or vote at this meeting. Further public action, if any, would depend on subsequent public agenda items or staff reports.