San Francisco courts affected as clerks strike sfchronicle/bayarea/article/San-Francisco-court-clerks-out-on-daylong-strike-5821741.php By Henry Lee October 14, 2014 | Updated: October 14, 2014 2:48pm Leah Millis, The Chronicle In this file photo, Department Clerk II Paul Fiol does work at his desk in the Superior Court Building of San Francisco. San Francisco Superior Court operations were thrown into disarray Tuesday after clerks went on a one-day strike to protest the lack of a pay raise. Court officials said civil and family law cases were delayed as they scrambled to handle criminal cases and others “with statutory deadlines.” Drop boxes were placed in clerks’ offices for legal filings. Clerks, along with court interpreters and reporters, walked picket lines at three court locations in the city, said Steve Stallone, a spokesman for Service Employees International Union Local 1021. Last month, more than 90 percent of clerks who cast ballots voted to authorize the strike. The strike at the Hall of Justice, the Civic Center Courthouse and the Youth Guidance Center came a day after court offices were closed for Columbus Day. “We are very disappointed that the San Francisco Superior Court, the institution we are devoting our careers to, the institution that should be the beacon of justice in our community, would show such disregard for the rights of citizens and workers,” said Gary Feliciano, the chief shop steward for the union’s court chapter and a clerk at the Civic Center courthouse. T. Michael Yuen, the court’s executive officer, blasted what he called an “unlawful strike.” “We deserve better than a group of rogue, unionized employees that break a promise to serve the public,” Yuen said. “We are not even at impasse. There’s a lot more talking to do, yet SEIU wants to resort to theater and games.” Yuen said the court would file a complaint with the state Public Employment Relations Board, because the union violated a no-strike provision. He said San Francisco clerks earn more than their counterparts in San Mateo and Los Angeles counties. Union officials said the court has $16 million in its reserve fund but refuses to offer a raise. Stallone said the clerks got a 3 percent raise last year, their first in many years, while facing court-imposed increases in co-payments for health care. Liz Hafalia, The Chronicle In this file photo, Senior court clerk Flor Maquilan takes a break while striking in front of the superior court building. SEIU Local 1021 has called a strike against SF Superior Court today saying that no information has been given to allow negotiations for a fair contract as workers have been laid off and furloughed with lower wages. Trial courts statewide have been reeling from $1 billion in state funding cutbacks over six years. The San Francisco Superior Court laid off 69 employees in October 2011, closed 11 of its 63 courtrooms at 400 McAllister St. and reduced operating hours at clerks’ offices. Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget for the fiscal year that started July 1 included a $129 million increase for the trial courts, about half of what court officials said they needed to maintain services. San Francisco Superior Court officials have said the courts expect to avoid further reductions through June and have earmarked remaining reserves to cover retired employees’ health care. Henry K. Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: hlee@sfchronicle Twitter: @henryklee
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 00:11:58 +0000
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