More than 150 workers in the Ventura County Superior Court system plan to walk off the job Oct. 20 to protest what they consider unfair labor practices.
The one-day strike involves members of the Service Employees International Union, including judicial assistants, court reporters and self-help staff, according to the union’s news release.
“Time and time again, they acted as if they are above the very law that courts are supposed to uphold,” SEIU 721 President David Green wrote of court leadership in the release. “They are wrong – and we will prove it when we go on our (unfair labor practice) strike.”
The employees plan to rally outside the Ventura County Government Center at 11 a.m. and then return to work Oct. 21.
Court administration did not
respond to The Star’s emailed questions about the planned strike and instead sent a news release asserting that court would remain open by prioritizing its limited staff resources to provide the greatest degree of services possible.
“It is our hope that the court and the union can reach an agreement soon so the court and its employees can focus on the important work of providing justice to all,” Court Executive Officer Kate Bieker wrote in the statement.
The local union began contract negotiations roughly three months ago, ahead of the Sept. 30 expiration, and nearly all members voted in favor of a strike if the negotiations did not move forward.
Members argue that since Bieker’s appointment in April 2025, working conditions have dramatically worsened, leading to severe understaffing and intolerable workloads. They are primarily demanding cost-of-living adjustments and improved health benefits.
The union has now filed four unfair labor practice charges against court management with the California Public Employment Relations Board since negotiations began.
SEIU accused the court of anti-union behavior, including prohibiting members from wearing union lanyards and badges to work, refusing to release the bargaining team and imposing a remote work policy with a waiver on union rights. Most recently, the agency alleges that the court refused to bargain in good faith, presenting a final offer while the parties were still negotiating over open issues, according to the news release.
Court administrators have denied the accusations and insisted they are committed to following all labor laws and bargaining in good faith. In their latest statement, the court stated it has offered employees a 9% raise over three years with additional healthcare and vacation benefits.
Leadership, including Presiding Judge Matthew P. Guasco, have publicly defended Bieker, stating that she has prioritized attracting, retaining and supporting court employees during her tenure.
Bieker wrote that during the strike, the court will remain open for all case types while prioritizing those that involve civil liberties, restraining orders, juveniles and other time-sensitive or emergency matters.
Jurors should report to court as instructed, and anyone with a court matter scheduled for Oct. 20 should check the court website to confirm it is still on calendar, according to the release. All clerk’s offices except the criminal and traffic walk-up window will be closed.
Joey Buttitta, a spokesperson for the Ventura County District Attorrneys Office, told The Star on Oct. 18 that the agency was aware of the upcoming strike and awaiting communication from the impact on cases.
Ayala Benefraim, chief deputy at Ventura County Public Defender’s Office, said in an interview that she and her colleagues are hopeful that the court workers’ concerns are heard and that they also have concerns about how leadership’s decisions have created barriers to their clients’ access to justice.
She said, however, they will still have to cross the picket lines to defend their clients’ rights. She said clients should continue showing up for their cases as planned with the understanding that there will be limitations on how their cases can proceed.
“There’s not much of a plan other than to try to effectuate clients’ right as best as we can while understanding completely that the folks who actually make that happen likely won’t be there to support those actions,” Benefraim said.
For more details on how the strike will impact the court, visit ventura.courts.ca.gov/news/ventura-superior-court-remains-open-during-service-employees-international-union-721-strike.
Makena Huey is an investigative and watchdog reporter for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at makena.huey@vcstar.com. This story was made possible by a grant from the Ventura County Community Foundation's Fund to Support Local Journalism. The foundation plays no role in story selection. The Star retains full editorial control.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Ventura County court workers plan one-day strike
