Save Wabasha Social Services

No fewer than 35 Wabasha County Social Services workers have left employment since 2020

The situation is critical. This means there’s a good chance that those with the most need won’t see a familiar face from one visit to the next.  Wabasha County voters and taxpayers are losing experienced and capable public service workers. You deserve better.

The reputation of Wabasha County as an Employer has made it impossible to attract and retain employees.When we’ve respectfully asked for the County to conduct market studies to ensure that pay is consistent and fair for everyone, or to address workplace morale, we have received nothing but refusals. Witnessing this hostility towards its own workers, many qualified applicants are seeking employment elsewhere.

Earlier this year Wabasha County Administration rewarded themselves with a pay raise, all while refusing to do the same for its Social Services employees unless we agreed to shred basic worker protections in our Union contract. Wabasha County Administration already knows that eliminating these basic worker protections does absolutely nothing to attract and retain employees. They are taking advantage of a desperate situation that they themselves have created. It is manipulative and unfair.

We are asking for community support in making sure the members of the Wabasha County Board know that their constituents stand with Social Services workers. We are your friends and neighbors. Please help us by copying and pasting the following email and sending it to your County Board member. 

Copy and send this email to your County Commissioner!

Dear Members of the County Board,

I am writing in support of the Wabasha County Social Services Union, AFSCME Local 3541.

I understand that our Wabasha County Administration gave themselves a raise earlier this year, but refused to do the same for our Wabasha County Social Services workers unless they tore up basic worker protections in their union contract. I also understand that Wabasha County has played bait and switch while making offers of employment, they’ve unilaterally altered terms and conditions of employment on a whim, and that they’ve permitted workplace morale to fall to unprecedented lows.

As a citizen and taxpayer of Wabasha County I am asking you to approve the following:

• A wage adjustment matching those received by other county employees, and without unnecessary takebacks.
• A study, conducted in a timely fashion, to make sure that our Social Services workers are fairly compensated.
• Compensation for Case Aides consistent with the job offers they have received.
• A workplace culture assessment to address morale.

Thank you for your consideration,

Find your Wabasha County Commissioner: