The State - News from Nov. 19, 1986

Wearing yellow ribbons, supporters of striking Madera County sheriff’s deputies crammed the Board of Supervisors’ chambers and chanted, “We want our deputies back.” Supporters of the board’s position also were on hand, and three speakers from each side were allowed to address the board. The supervisors themselves did not respond, on advice of counsel. As those favoring the 38 striking deputies left, some chanted “recall,” indicating that they may try to recall some supervisors. The deputies left the county when they began the strike Nov. 6, so that they would not be served with a Superior Court order barring the walkout. Last week, the county fired them for refusing to return to work by a Wednesday deadline. The deputies filed suit in U.S. District Court at Fresno, contending that the court order amounts to making them work under conditions of involuntary servitude and thus violates their constitutional rights. The action seeks $2 million in damages for each of the deputies.