Santa Clara County court clerks set to strike Wednesday

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (KGO) -- Superior Court clerks tell ABC7 News they plan will strike on Wednesday.

Hundreds of Santa Clara County court clerks are set to strike saying they're underpaid and overworked. Many haven't received a raise in eight years. Top salaries for experienced workers is about $65,000 a year.

The courts offered a 4.5 percent raise in the first year of the two-year contract, as well as an immediate five percent raise for nearly all workers who have been with the courts for at least six years.

RELATED: Santa Clara County court clerks threatening to go on strike

Clerks unanimously rejected that deal last week.

The strike is expected to essentially shut down all the Santa Clara County courts.

Santa Clara County's courts face a $5 million deficit this year. That is on top of massive budget cuts in recent years in the state's judiciary branch.

It's resulted in reduced clerks hours, consolidation of services, longer lines and a backup of caseloads.

The clerks said they just can't keep up with all the work.