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Settlement reached in cost-of-living raise for social workers
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More from Breaking NewsWorkers aiding the developmentally disabled reached a tentative settlement today that provides their first cost-of-living raise in six years.
The 220 social workers and office employees have been seeking a 5 percent increase from their employer, the Tri-Counties Regional Center. The amount in the settlement will not be released until the workers hold a ratification vote next week, but a union spokeswoman praised the deal Friday.
"I'm pleased," said Favel Jens of the Service Employees International Union.
Workers have remained on the job, but 100 employees took part in an informational picket Wednesday outside the nonprofit agency's offices, including its site in Oxnard. Picketing planned Saturday at an agency board meeting in Santa Barbara has been canceled in light of the agreement.
Managers said the pact reflects their interest in providing competitive wages while staying within limited state funding.
"It's been six months we've been working on this," said Michael Nagel, director of human resources. "It had come to a point where we were ready on both sides to come to an agreement."
The agency serves 10,000 people with developmental disabilities, including autism, mental retardation, cerebral palsy and epilepsy.
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