BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) – As the lawsuit between the City of Bakersfield and Kern County continues over sewer rate increases, a powerful California union that represents both city and county workers will file a government claim.
The contentious and controversial sewer rate increase would impose a 354% rate increase for 600 Bakersfield residents over a five-year period.
The Service Employees International Union – better known as SEIU 521 – is demanding the Bakersfield City Council rescind the sewer rate increases, calling them “unfair” and want City staff to meet with the union, along with county representatives, to develop a new plan that does not “overcharge current users,” the union said in a statement on Wednesday.
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SEIU 521 added that the City’s new plan to tackle the sewer rates would require current ratepayers in Bakersfield to pay for the system’s expansion that will solely benefit new users, including “industry and high-end residential developments in southwest Bakersfield.”…