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Social workers approve raise
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More from Breaking NewsWorkers aiding people with developmental disabilities have approved a new wage pact that gives them a 3 percent raise, their first cost-of-living increase in six years.
Half of the raise will be reflected in paychecks issued June 6, with the remainder coming in November, the Service Employees International Union said Friday.
The 220 social workers and office staff work for Tri-Counties Regional Center, which coordinates services for 10,000 developmentally disabled people in Ventura, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.
Workers picketed at the nonprofit agency's offices last month, including its location in Oxnard, but remained on the job. Negotiators reached a tentative settlement May 2 after six months of talks.
Union spokeswoman Favel Jens said 61 percent voted for the wage agreement and 39 percent voted no in ballots counted Thursday. They had sought 5 percent.
The 3 percent bump would give social workers an increase of $935 to $1,420, pushing salary ranges up to approximately $32,000 to $49,000 annually.
Managers say the pact reflects their interest in providing competitive wages while staying within limited state funding.
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