In November 1973, three brave women, Linda Croskrey, Mary Gonzales and Samella Burt, filed a class action discrimination lawsuit against the County of Contra Costa. The lawsuit alleged that women, racial and ethnic minorities were concentrated in low paying dead end jobs from which there were few, if any, opportunities for advancement. The class of persons whose rights were at issue was eventually defined to include “all persons denied employment or advancement by [the County] or who have been harassed in their employment by defendants because of the sex or racial or ethnic minority status.”

In October 1975, the Plaintiffs and the County made an agreement that was intended to implement an effective and affirmative equal employment opportunity policy beyond the affirmative action policies then in effect. They agreed that the percentage of minorities and females employed in each job classification and each department within the County should reflect the supply of qualified members of minority groups and females in the work force. This agreement was approved by the Court as a Consent Decree, and it is still in effect. Because of this Consent Decree, Proposition 209 does not apply to the County. To read the actual Consent Decree, click here. To Learn More about the Affirmative Action Program for Contra Costa County, click here.

According to the Plaintiffs’ initial complaint, in 1973, Contra Costa County had a population of 570,000 persons. Approximately 7.4% were African-American, 9.30% were Hispanic and 2.3 % were other racial or ethnic minorities. According to the 2000 Census figures, the County’s population now includes 9.2% African-Americans, 17.7% Latinos, and 15.2% others (including 10.8% Asians). Although the representation of minorities within the County has increased dramatically, the face of County government has remained constant and consistently Caucasian. Although women and minorities have benefitted, particularly women, from the Consent Decree, they still face stiff resistance in hiring and promotion decisions.

Price And Associates is the Court-appointed Monitor of the Consent Decree, representing the Plaintiffs. The Consent Decree requires that the Plaintiffs’ counsel establish and maintain an Advisory Board in connection with the implementation of the County’s Affirmative Action Program. The Consent Decree requires the Advisory Board to include representatives of each minority group resident within Contra Costa County, all interested women and employees’ organizations, and all other interested groups and persons. Meetings are open to the public.

Meeting are held regularly on the second Tuesday of each month in either Martinez or El Cerrito. All interested persons and organizations are urged to attend. Come and join us in the fight for equal employment opportunity in Contra Costa County!!!! To find out the location of the next meeting, contact Price And Associates at pypesq@aol.com.