County workers protest offers

Several hundred Sonoma County employees conducted an hourlong lunchtime rally Tuesday outside the county administration building to protest labor contract proposals on pay and health benefits.

The Service Employees International Union, which represents 3,000 county workers, has a contract with the county that expires Monday. Union officials object to proposals that provide a small cost-of-living increase and that shift health care premium costs to employees.

A key sticking point is an administration proposal to give employees $500 a month toward health premiums, which would be a departure from current union contracts that provide for the county to pay 85 percent of costs of the least expensive health plan. County officials have said major changes to health care benefits for employees and retirees are necessary to reduce unfunded liabilities that total about $37 million annually.

Union leaders called on members to back supervisorial candidate Shirlee Zane, the Council on Aging CEO, who is running for 3rd District supervisor against Sharon Wright, former Santa Rosa councilwoman.

Both 5th District candidates -- county planning commissioner Rue Furch and credit union community liaison Efren Carrillo -- attended the rally. SEIU officials said they would interview both candidates on July 9 to consider an endorsement.

-- Bleys W. Rose