Features

South Bay worker strike shuts down courthouses

By Maria-Belen Moran The Associated Press
Tuesday November 19, 2002

SANTA CLARA — About 600 Santa Clara Superior Court workers walked off the job Monday, forcing the closure of two courthouses and prompting an injunction trying to force some back to work. 

The court reporters, legal clerks and other staff are expected to continue striking until they see some changes from management, especially regarding wages, said Isobel White, spokeswoman for Local 715 of the Service Employees International Union. 

Court spokeswoman Debra Hodges refused to answer questions or comment on the strike. 

Court officials are offering a 2.5 percent raise in the first year of a three-year contract. No raises would be added during the last two years. Union officials are seeking a 6 percent annual raise. 

“They are simply asking for something that will allow workers to support their families,” White said. 

Workers at a dozen court facilities, which employ both state and county workers, stayed home Monday. Only the state employees are striking. 

Court officials say the state budget restricts them from making a better offer, but San Mateo County court workers just signed a contract with a 14 percent pay raise over four years, White said. 

“Other court systems have been able to settle contracts and provide decent pay increases,” White said. 

White said the Santa Clara County Superior Court filed an injunction Monday asking that key workers to return to work. The hearing was scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday in front of an out-of-county judge. 

White acknowledged about 50 workers crossed the picket lines at several facilities. 

It was unclear when the Notre Dame and the Santa Clara courthouses would reopen.