Morning Lookout: Santa Cruz city workers looking for new contract; UCSC to provide abortion pills

Happy Monday, everyone,

We’re officially beyond the halfway mark in July and one week shy from a month into the official summer season — a month and a half if you count from Memorial Day, as many of us do. The sunny/cloudy mix we’re accustomed to at this time of year is expected to continue into this week, with temps in the mid to high 70s across much of the county.

Today, we take a look at the latest updates from contract negotiations between the city of Santa Cruz and its SEIU union workers. Also on the news budget: All CSU and UC campuses, including UCSC, will begin providing abortion pills at the start of 2023, mandated by a new state law.

This is a good time to remind you of our letters to the editor section, where you can send us your opinion on a locally relevant story or topic. Find more details on our submission guidelines, here. You can see a couple of today’s letters below.

And if you haven’t already, make sure to change your password in order to access our site and new user experience. No more magic links!

Time for today’s headlines ...

Tough bargaining: Unionized Santa Cruz city workers face difficulties of affordability, inflation, budgets

(SEIU Local 521)

Five months into contract negotiations, the city’s trash collectors, water treatment worker and park maintenance people, among many others, aim for a new contract amid spiraling affordability issues. Are they as far apart as they seem? Might there be a strike? Max has the details here.

➤ PREVIOUSLY AT THE COUNTY LEVEL: County workers protest working conditions, say they are on the edge of a strike

As California prepares for Roe refugees, UCSC, and all UC and CSU campuses, will provide abortion pills

(Kevin Painchaud/Lookout Santa Cruz)

Under a new state law, all UC and Cal State campuses will start providing medication abortion beginning Jan. 1. In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade, opening up abortion appointments on university campuses could ease pressure on local clinics, which will likely see an influx of out-of-state patients. Hillary and CalMatters with the update.

➤ MORE ROE COVERAGE, HERE

That’s it for this morning. You can also keep tabs throughout the day by bookmarking our website and following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Enjoy the start of your week!

Giovanni Moujaes
Lookout Santa Cruz