Labor board orders San Mateo County to answer sheriff’s union criticism

The California Public Employment Relations Board directed San Mateo County, in its function overseeing the sheriff’s workplace, to deal with a criticism from the Deputy Sheriffs’ Affiliation alleging labor violations.

Filed earlier this month, the union’s criticism accuses embattled Sheriff Christina Corpus and former chief of workers Victor Aenlle of unilaterally altering extra time and staffing insurance policies, interfering with union rights, and retaliating towards the affiliation for partaking in protected actions.

The labor board has scheduled a settlement convention for later this month. If no settlement is reached, the case will proceed to a proper listening to.

Though the sheriff and county officers have been at odds for the previous a number of months, the county is called because the respondent within the criticism as a result of it serves because the employer and oversees the sheriff’s workplace in labor issues.

The criticism outlines that earlier than August final yr, short-term pointers inspired deputies to volunteer for twenty-four hours of extra time each two weeks, with at the least 12 of these hours labored within the jail.

The sheriff allegedly prolonged these expired pointers and elevated the required jail extra time to 18 of the 24 further hours. The union argues this modification in extra time guidelines — notably the added jail shifts — was applied with out negotiation, violating labor legal guidelines.

It additionally states that the Maguire Correctional Facility, run by the sheriff’s workplace, sometimes operated with 25 to 32 deputies in the course of the day and 25 to 30 at evening. The county allegedly modified this by rising staffing ranges at some jails, together with elevating the variety of deputies per shift at Maguire to 35. The union contends that this improve in minimal staffing was additionally made with out prior discover or dialogue.

The affiliation contends these actions violate state guidelines requiring public employers to cut price over such issues, infringing on deputies’ rights and the union’s means to signify them.

The criticism echoes broader allegations of corruption, misconduct, and office harassment detailed in a 400-page impartial audit carried out by retired Choose LaDoris Cordell final yr.

In an announcement, the union mentioned the labor board’s resolution to advance the criticism “affirms the validity of our claims and marks a critical step forward in upholding workplace rights and accountability.”

Moreover the extra time dispute, the union additionally claims Aenlle tried to weaken its management by suggesting deputies take away union leaders, straight speaking extra time data to deputies as an alternative of by means of the union, and sending a threatening letter after the union filed its criticism and introduced a no-confidence vote towards Aenlle final yr.

The union additionally alleges the sheriff retaliated towards its president, Carlos Tapia, by arresting him and putting him on depart “due to his union activities” — actions the affiliation contends are unlawful. Tapia was arrested in November 2024 for alleged timecard fraud, however San Mateo County District Legal professional Stephen Wagstaffe declined to file fees.

Corpus’ workplace has not responded to requests for remark.

The criticism is the newest growth in a rising scandal surrounding the sheriff, who faces mounting authorized and political stress. Earlier this month, she sued the county to compel the discharge of cost data associated to Cordell’s investigation into her administration.

Corpus, the county’s first Latina sheriff, has rejected calls to resign. She maintains that the allegations towards her are politically motivated and that Cordell’s investigation into her administration was biased and flawed.

A brand new San Mateo County Constitution modification took impact Friday, briefly granting the board of supervisors authority to take away an elected sheriff till 2028 — an influence authorised by 84% of voters final month.

The board has additionally reviewed, however not but adopted, a proposed 12-step removing course of developed with steerage from the legislation agency Hanson Bridgett. The method may take at the least 3½ months, not together with time to nominate a successor if Corpus is finally eliminated.