The Watsonville City Council has approved changes to a local law that could ban RVs and semitrucks from parking along public streets citywide. The ordinance is slated for a second hearing Feb. 10 before being formally adopted.
Watsonville City Council
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In reversal, Watsonville reinstates labor pact with unions, adds exemptions for some projects
The Watsonville City Council reversed its earlier decision to scrap the city’s project labor agreement with trade unions, adding changes that would allow certain projects to be exempt from having to use unionized workers.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville City Council wants more say in county’s battery storage ordinance
As Santa Cruz County officials work on battery storage facility regulations, members of the Watsonville City Council say they want their concerns to be heard.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville City Council moves to scrap project labor agreement, despite pushback from trades council
The Watsonville City Council voted Wednesday to scrap its project labor agreement, which sets standards for wages, benefits and working hours on city projects. Following the vote, city staff and the local trades council will go back to the drawing board to create a new set of rules.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Ask Lookout: What is Watsonville’s project labor agreement that has trade unions up in arms?
Why did nearly 150 union workers pack Watsonville City Council chambers earlier this month to urge the city not to rescind a longstanding labor agreement that sets the employment terms for major city infrastructure projects?
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Trade workers pack Watsonville City Hall as council debates future of union labor rules
The Watsonville City Council deferred a decision this week on a contentious plan to update its labor agreements with construction trade groups. Local workers are pushing to preserve workplace protections, while city officials are raising concerns over construction delays and rising costs.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Watsonville council is betraying the community by approving Flock surveillance cameras
Watsonville leaders betrayed the community by approving 17 more Flock Safety surveillance cameras, writes a countywide grassroots coalition that opposes the cameras. The vote means Watsonville will have more than any other city in Santa Cruz County even as critics warn the devices erode privacy.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Watsonville City Council approves city’s first homelessness strategic plan
The Watsonville City Council voted to adopt the city’s first homelessness strategic plan at its meeting Tuesday night. The plan outlines the city’s approach to reducing homelessness and connecting unhoused residents to social services.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville leaders say controversial plan to expand license plate readers won’t undermine city’s sanctuary status
Watsonville officials are defending their city’s immigration sanctuary reputation amid an outcry from residents over a plan to nearly double the use of Flock Safety’s license plate surveillance cameras.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville votes to expand use of controversial Flock license plate readers despite immigration fears
The Watsonville City Council voted Tuesday night to renew a two-year contract with Flock Safety for automated license plate readers and add 17 more cameras throughout the city. Nearly 50 community members filled the council chambers to voice concerns over immigration enforcement risks.