鈥淣o pay raise, no peace鈥 was the anthem rattling through the county hall Tuesday morning, issued by nearly 200 unionized county employees protesting the county鈥檚 newest budget.

At the county鈥檚 preliminary hearing for the 2024-25 budget, workers demanded better pay from the Kern County Board of Supervisors, saying their wages as they stand have led to dwindling retention rates, low morale and burnout amid heavy caseloads.