Emma Johnson, left, and her mother Karen Johnson speak on behalf of Hemet city workers who are members of the Service Employees International Union, Local 721, and seek raises after 14 years. Valley News/Diane A. Rhodes photo
More than half of Hemet’s city employees appeared at the Tuesday, Nov. 10, city council meeting to plead for a wage increase. Workers, who are members of the Service Employees International Union, Local 721, have not had a cost of living adjustment since 2006. Now more than ever, with many having to do double or triple duty due to pandemic-related layoffs, employees said they are feeling frustrated and unappreciated.Due to COVID-19 restrictions, in-person participation is limited inside the council chamber and the building’s lobby to maintain required social distancing. While about a dozen union members chose to make public comments, limited to two minutes each, many others gathered around a computer tablet set up on a truck’s tailgate in the parking lot to watch the proceedings.
