Concerns over public safety as DA goes on strike indefinitely
The Deputy District Attorneys Association said they’re going on strike indefinitely starting Tuesday due to stalled labor negotiations with the Imperial County Board of Supervisors.
Armando Vargas, I.C. Deputy District Attorney (I.C.D.D.A.), said, “There’s a staffing crisis that’s putting the community in danger and we will keep striking as long as needed until the board addresses the crisis that’s putting the people in danger.”
Attorneys said present salary is inadequate. They have 15 attorneys when they should have 21. They rejected a proposed 2.2% salary increase as insufficient.
Twylailyne Johnson, I.C.D.D.A., said, “We’re unable to recruit qualified attorneys. We’re unable to retain attorneys that we have and in terms of caseloads right now we are at a crisis. We’ve lost about 12 attorneys, just seven attorneys in the last year and we’re at a point where the remaining attorneys cannot effectively keep up with the workload.”
Attorneys said overload puts public safety at risk.
Eileen Cavil, I.C.D.D.A., said, “We have murders to prosecute. We have serious sex crimes to prosecute. We have serious domestic violence to prosecute. All those cases have victims that are affected by having attorneys who cannot adequately prepare their cases for trial, for preliminary hearings, for motions.”
The County’s working on recruitment of new attorneys.
Ryan Kelly, I.C. District Supervisor Chairman, said, “Add to that a five-thousand-dollar sign-in bonus for a two-year commitment and an additional five-year sign-in bonus.”
Plus, a 6.6% percent salary increase to attorney contracts spread out over three years. In addition to other increases to medical and retirement benefits. The County agrees money is tight.
“We have been drawing from a deficit, $800,000 deficit in 2017. And fiscal year 2018, $600,000. We’ve been making improvements on it, but there is a problem because of reduced revenues,” Kelly said.
Attorneys plan to continue putting on the pressure.
Ronald J. Melton, I.C.D.D.A., said, “How are we going to be able to survive? We’re actually going to be losing money for the next coming years with that 2.2 offer if we were to accept it. Because the cost of living is going up 2.7% per year.”
The County said there are limits to what they can do.
“There are constraints on the county being able to meet all the needs and demands of the bargaining units,” Kelly said.
