Employees of the El Dorado Hills Community Services District voted to go on strike over the board wanting to reduce pay by an average of 13 percent for the more than 200 workers.

At the same time the employees cast a unanimous no confidence vote in regards to the five-member board.

According to the state controller’s website, the average salary for the 218 employees is $12,636 a year in 2015.

This is essentially a parks and recreation district for El Dorado Hills.

The union, Local 1-AFSCME, put out a press release saying, “Financial reports indicate that the CSD is currently operating on an $11.8 million budget with another $11.9 million sitting in reserve, yet most employees cannot afford to live in the district they serve. The board’s proposed health care cuts come as employees are also expected to make additional contributions to their retirement plan.”

The district in a press release said the vote to strike is premature and that it has not been notified of the vote.

“The parties just concluded mediation and are scheduling a fact finding hearing as part of the impasse procedures set forth in the Government Code. Given the fact that the impasse procedures have not yet been completed, the threat of a strike is premature,” the district said. “The dispute between the union and the district is primarily focused on the issue of how much money (cash) an employee should receive in lieu of health benefits.”

— Lake Tahoe News staff report