County of Kern union members protest working conditions

Union members working for the County of Kern will be protesting work conditions today, Thursday October 5, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. in front of the Department of Human Services on California Avenue.  Union members say their demands are simple, all they want is for their employer to to invest in quality public services as they have had issues with alleged bed infestation in county facilities. SEIU members also alleged that they have gone over thirty days without a contract and they claim county managers have threatened employees that choose to participate in legally protected union activity.  Employees added they do not feel safe in their work environment because they continuously come across exposure to bed bugs. Employees say that they have been exposed to these bugs for over a year. Back in March, 23ABC spoke to a woman who works at the Department of Human Services who said she had been bitten by the pests.