The struggle between workers at Camp Recovery Center in Scotts Valley and administration over the workers’ first contract could be nearing an end after nearly a year of bargaining.
“Things are rapidly coming to a head in terms of negotiations,” said Joe Keffer, a worker at the camp who is also negotiating on the workers’ behalf.
A local politician and representatives from local unions marched with workers on the corner of Mount Hermon Road and Glen Canyon Road on Tuesday, Jan. 12, in the latest public display in the employees’ effort to unionize.
Santa Cruz City Councilman Tony Madrigal led chants for the picketers.
Leaders from the Service Employees International Union have organized the workers and lead the negotiations with Camp Recovery. Employees last picketed Dec. 16 in front of their Scotts Valley workplace.
Keffer said efforts to agree on health care and wages are moving forward with Camp Recovery management. The two remaining issues are wages and some job protection issues, he said.
The negotiation teams have met weekly more than 35 times.
If a contract is reached, Keffer said, the employees, many of whom had unaffordable health care premiums, he said, would be represented by the SEIU in terms of grievances or other workplace issues.
Camp Recovery Center is owned by CRC Health Group, a national company that runs more than 140 drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers. The center offers an intensive 30-day course of treatment for adults and often releases them with post-treatment support.
No other Camp Recovery Center branch has unionized, union leaders said.
As of press time, Camp directors could not be reached for comment for this report.
