Hundreds of unionized City of Santa Cruz workers voted to reject the latest contract offer from the city and authorize a strike.
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 521, which represents about 800 temporary and permanent city employees, is in the midst of contract negotiations with the city. Both city and union leaders declined to give details on the negotiations, including what the union is requesting and what the city has offered. In total, 96% of the union’s voting members voted to reject the contract offer and authorize a strike.
There is currently no official date for any strike to begin, said Devon King, the SEIU representative for city workers. The union and the city are poised to enter mediation next Thursday, Oct. 30, to continue attempts to reach a deal.
If workers do go on strike, a number of city services could be affected. Things like trash, parking services, libraries, code enforcement and park programs would not be running, nor would most city service windows. “Basically everything but water and wastewater,” would be affected by a strike, said Ken Bare, SEIU City of Santa Cruz chapter president and bargaining team member, who works in the parking services department.
City workers most recently went on a three-day strike in October 2022, the first in Santa Cruz city history. The most recent contract, which expired on Oct. 12, included a 12% raise over three years, as well as $1,800 bonuses for all members and salary adjustment payments for some positions that were considered underpaid. A union source told Lookout that SEIU is requesting a pay hike greater than 12% over the life of the next three-year contract.
“We respect our employees’ right to organize and to strike if they ultimately decide to do so,” said City Manager Matt Huffaker in an email. “However, we are still at the negotiating table and remain hopeful that a fair agreement can be reached.”
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