WE move MOUNTAINs
to deliver
public services
for our community
Monterey County is only as good as the sum of its parts, and we, the dedicated workers, are the foundation that upholds and enhances our community. We offer a plethora of high-quality, state-of-the-art public services that meet the diverse needs of our residents.
union workers:
sustaining
monterey county amid
the vacancy crisis
We are the engineers, technicians, supervisors, and maintenance workers who ensure public services run smoothly—from transportation to utilities and beyond.
Our Expertise and dedication serve the County’s efficient operation, to ensure residents always receive the essential services they rely on every day.
But the vacancy crisis is undermining the lives of local residents and our union workforce.
“The staffing crisis puts both our community and workforce in an untenable position. Instead of filling vacancies, positions are being eliminated, and workloads are becoming unsustainable. Without adequate staffing, applications can’t be processed on time—leaving families without food on the table, access to healthcare, or the ability to pay their rent.”
- Odilon Santoyo, SEIU 521 Member and Monterey County Eligibility Supervisor.
SEIU Vacancies '20 -'23
713
vacancy impact report on monterey county communities (click to expand)
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Nearly 1 in 3 SEIU 521 represented vacancies in the health department are comprised by Psychiatric Social Worker IIs and Medical Assistants.
An additional 6 SEIU 521 job classifications have over 10 vacancies in the health department.
A 22.6% vacancy rate negatively impacts patients and workers, contributing to poorer community health outcomes.
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The number of SEIU 521 represented vacancies increased consistently since 2020 from 68 to 119.
A 12.8% department vacancy rate challenges intervention times for emergency response in violent households.
70% of SEIU 521 vacancies occur in just four key classifications, challenging the County’s response to sensitive issues like abuse, housing insecurity, and adoption services.
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The number of vacancies increased since 2020 from 98 to 130.
Primary care physicians per resident is lower than the California state average.
Monterey County reported more poor mental or physical health days than California residents overall.
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The County cannot retain 911 Emergency Communications workers due to low pay and unfair staffing conditions.
SEIU 521 911 Emergency Communications workers are placed into a situation know as “forced overtime”.
24,008 forced overtime hours were extracted in 2021.
23,657 forced overtime hours were extracted in 2022.
27,777 forced overtime hours were extracted in 2023.
-Javier Aranzazu, SEIU 521 Monterey County Access Mental Health, Psychiatric Social Worker
“We must have the resources to support individuals who walk in with no other treatment options, ensuring they receive immediate, life-saving help. The Monterey County Board of Supervisors must prioritize investing in public services. The need to address a suicidal crisis or addiction doesn’t disappear just because issues are ignored.”
Psychiatric Social Workers like Javier are essential to ensuring Monterey County residents have access to quality mental health care. Yet in the midst of a vacancy crisis, workers like Javier are left to face overwhelming caseloads, alarming data, and minimal county support:
in the last 4 years SEIU 521 vacancies positions increased by 69%, from 422 to 713;
in seven key departments SEIU 521 vacancies account for more than 10% of the county’s budgeted positions.
Despite a completely packed schedule and without the necessary resources, Javier manages to provide bilingual therapy sessions to County residents through Monterey County’s ACCESS Mental Health program at Natividad Medical Center.