The State - News from Jan. 16, 1987

Acting on its own, the Madera County Grand Jury recommended that county supervisors reinstate the 39 sheriff’s deputies who were fired after they went on strike late last year. The recommendation, which is not binding, urged the supervisors and the deputies to negotiate fringe benefits and a new contract immediately. Jury members said they made the recommendations because they felt the current situation is bad for the county. Neither side sought the jury’s opinion. The deputies walked off their jobs in mid-November after failing to negotiate a new contract with the county. The supervisors fired all 39 striking deputies when they refused to return to work. A few days later deputies returned to their jobs as provisional employees, which means they have no benefits or seniority. They are trying to win back permanent status through appeals to the county Civil Service Commission.