Riverside County Court Reporters Picket Courthouses Over Pay and Staffing Concerns

Court reporters with the Riverside County Superior Court made their voices heard Thursday morning, holding coordinated practice pickets outside courthouses across the county, including in Indio.

The pickets were organized as a show of pressure on the county’s court system as contract negotiations continue. Reporters say they are seeking fair compensation, higher wages, and solutions to ongoing staffing shortages.

Vicki Vince, a court reporter with more than 20 years of experience, said reporters have been working without a contract since November of last year. She called the current offer from the court unacceptable, pointing to a proposed one percent increase.

“If the 14 or 15 court reporters we have in Indio walked out tomorrow, nothing could get done in this courthouse,” Vince said. “We are much-needed employees.”

Those participating in the practice pickets emphasized that the effort goes beyond court reporters alone. The bargaining unit is represented by the Service Employees International Union and includes paraprofessionals such as facilities workers, research attorneys, and supervisors.

Union representatives say their proposals focus on wages, staffing levels, and access to public services, all of which they argue are critical for recruitment and retention. Bargaining team member Jeanette Jessup said the wage discussions are tied to the governor’s budget and state funding, adding that information provided by the court has not been as favorable as in previous negotiations.

Picketers say they plan to continue applying pressure on the county’s court system as talks move forward, signaling that additional actions could follow if progress is not made.

Reporting live in studio, Tiani Jadulang, NBC Palm Springs.

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