Sac County Update: SCAA Strike

​​​​County of Sacramento and Sacramento County Attorneys' Association (SCAA) officials met on Wednesday, Aug. 28 to discuss the parties' impasse concerning wages.

Because the contractual agreement is already in place between the County and SCAA through June 30, 2025, the County made an offer beginning July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2027:

The union counteroffered on Aug. 30 with the following:

SCAA employees are among the highest-paid in the County and have the lowest vacancy rate.

An increase of 21.5- 22.5% is well above the median of the labor market and is inconsistent with the County's compensation approach for its employees. The County will continue to negotiate in good faith with SCAA and looks forward to resolving outstanding issues.

Prior to the strike, the County reached out to the District Attorney's office inquiring whether it needed an injunction to address any affects a strike may have on public safety. The County did not receive a request from the District Attorney's office to seek that injunction.

Strike FAQs

Is it true that the contract between the County of Sacramento and the Sacramento County Attorneys Association expired in June 2022?

What did SCAA and the County agree to in that contract?

The agreement includes significant increases in compensation ranging from 14% - 15%, along with a new longevity pay providing 2.5% of salary when an employee reaches 10 years of service, and a commitment from the County to contribute an additional 2% of salary (for a total of 3%) to attorneys' deferred compensation.

What are attorney salaries in the agreement?

Under the terms of that negotiated agreement, attorney salaries are:

The salaries above do not include County costs for pensions and various benefits.

SCAA said it is asking for at least a 5.5% increase, which seems reasonable. Why isn't the County agreeing to that?

SCAA provided a counteroffer seeking a one-year contract extension and an additional 7.5% wage increase, as well as a 1-4% COLA increase, on top of the 14-15% increases it agreed to in the contract effective January 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025.

SCAA employees are among the highest-paid in the County and have the lowest vacancy rate.

An increase of 21.5- 22.5% is well above the median of the labor market and is inconsistent with the County's compensation approach for its employees. The County will continue to negotiate in good faith with SCAA and looks forward to resolving outstanding issues.

SCAA indicated challenges in recruiting experienced attorneys, and more competitive salaries could relieve those struggles. Isn't that a good reason for an increase?

As of June 30, vacancy rates for the three classes were very low, compared to the County's overall vacancy rate of 11.8%:

How did the parties get to Fact Finding?

In the summer of 2023, SCAA triggered the request for Fact Finding with the Public Employee Relations Board.

Is the salary level for SCAA appropriate, compared to similar jurisdictions?

As part of the Fact-Finding process, the County conducted a comprehensive survey of the labor market, encompassing 14 jurisdictions including the City/County of San Francisco, Alameda County, Santa Clara County, Placer County and Contra Costa County.

Based on this survey, current attorney salaries surpass the median of the labor market.

How far apart were the parties when SCAA triggered Fact Finding?

13.5%. The County was offering a three-year package that was worth 14-15% in wages, plus an additional 2% of new money to the deferred comp match. SCAA was asking for an additional 13.5%.

Why in January of 2023 did the parties enter into an agreement to extend the contract?

SCAA asked the County to enter into the agreement so that SCAA members could receive the wages and benefits proposed by the County but still pursue its equity demand. SCAA represented at the time that the parties were 4% apart in total. The County agreed to extend the agreement, allowing SCAA to pursue its equity argument.

What was SCAA's position after the January 2023 agreement and heading into Fact Finding?

SCAA's position increased to 9% in compensation on top of the agreement it entered into with the County in January of 2023. This was despite prior representations that the parties were only 4% apart.

Does the County truly want to resolve the issues with the SCAA?

The County appreciates the dedication and hard work of its attorneys and remains committed to constructive dialogue. The County will commit to continuing to negotiate in good faith and looks forward to resolving outstanding issues through continued discussions.