ANIMAL SHELTER, REGISTRAR'S OFFICE HIT BY WALKOUT.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Staff Writer

CASTAIC - Nine employees from the Castaic Animal Shelter were among Los Angeles County union employees who walked off the job Monday, beginning a ``rolling'' strike in hopes of gaining raises and better benefits.

Workers picketed the shelter for two hours before heading to the Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control administration offices in Downey to a larger gathering.

``We really work hard,'' said Shelly Gabaldon, 36, of Santa Clarita, an animal control officer who joined striking employees. ``We know we're underpaid.''

Gabaldon, who has worked at the shelter for 10 years, said the pay she receives does not match the amount of work and effort that goes into her job.

``I pick up live and dead animals,'' Gabaldon said. ``I handle barking complaints, work in the office and kennel when needed, and do whatever is needed to make the shelter run better. But I barely make it, check to check. I don't get to enjoy a lot of things that should come from working a hard job.''

Meanwhile, bargaining talks broke off Friday and no new sessions are scheduled.

The union seeks a 15.5 percent wage increase over the life of the three-year contract, no medical co-payments and help in paying for child care. The county is offering 9 percent over three years, and a $10 co-payment for doctor visits.

On average, the local shelter is a temporary home to 48 dogs and 30 cats that are cared for by three kennel attendants. Three animal control officers handle about 12 to 13 service calls each day and three workers staff the office and answer phone calls.

``I love the job and I love serving the city and educating the people about the animals,'' Gabaldon said. ``I can't see myself doing anything else. I hope we've made some difference.''

While the shelter remained open Monday, the kennel was closed for pet adoptions.

``Right now, we are handling strictly emergencies,'' said Lt. Rosendo Perez, shelter manager, who was aided by two volunteers called in to keep the shelter running. ``We're only going out in cases where an animal is really, really sick.''

As Perez answered telephone calls and took down complaints and calls for service, 10 volunteers cleaned the cages and fed the animals.

Joining animal care workers in the rolling strike Monday were employees from the Los Angeles Country Registrar-Recorder's Office.

The rolling strikes - designed to ratchet up pressure on the county without costing workers too much in lost time - are eventually expected to spread to civilian workers in the Sheriff's Department, and employees at the District Attorney's Office, county hospitals, libraries and other county departments.

Contracts covering nurses, paramedics, custodians, artisans, librarians and other county employees expired at midnight Saturday.

In all, an estimated 900 union workers skipped work as Service Employees International Union, Local 660, flexed its collective bargaining muscle against Los Angeles County.

SEIU leaders say if no satisfactory contract agreement is reached by Oct. 11, the entire membership of 47,000 workers will be asked to go on strike.

Wire services contributed to this report.

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Photo:

(color) A picket sign outside the Castaic Animal Shelter states that county workers want raises.

Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News