Monterey County social and health workers rally for more staffing

Monterey County social workers said they’re overwhelmed and understaffed and that’s why they’re fighting for help.

On Tuesday, dozens of county employees rallied in Salinas outside the social services building as part of their ‘Week of Action.’

“Our community has some serious needs. Our population is going up, poverty is going up. This is what our agency deals with entirely,” said Angela Gomez.

Gomez has been a social worker in Monterey County for ten years. She said families are going without food and medical care because the Department of Social Services just doesn’t have enough staff.

“How can we continue to provide the services that our improvised families in our community need if staff is scarce and if we are not supported in the way we need to be,” said Gomez.

The union is currently asking the county to make changes to help.

“It’s part of the communication process for them to make sure we as the decision makers understand what the realities are of their working conditions and what they want and need,” said Jane Parker, chair of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors.

Parker said they negotiate the contract every couple years.

“It’s very important for us to do the best we can to give our work force what they need to do their work and at the same time we are balancing the needs, a lot of different needs,” said Parker.

Several of those needs came up earlier this year during a state investigation. Social Services was reviewed after two kids they met with multiple times were found dead. Their caretaker is now on trial for the murders.

“There have been issues with things falling through the cracks in child welfare and it’s just time to really pay attention,” said Gomez.

Workers have until the end of June to come to an agreement. Two more protests are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.