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Up to 4,500 San Jose employees will go on 3-day strike

By and KTVU staff
Updated  August 7, 2023 12:21pm PDT
San Jose
KTVU FOX 2

San Jose city workers vote to authorize strike

Up to 4,500 San Jose employees will be on strike for three days next week – the largest in city history.

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Up to 4,500 San Jose employees will be on strike for three days next week – the largest in city history. 

San Jose city workers in IFPTE Local 21 and MEF-AFSCME Local 101 on Monday said union members voted by an overwhelming 99% to authorize a strike from Tuesday to Thursday. 

Among the affected workers are librarians, emergency dispatchers, planners, animal shelter technicians and veterinarians, engineers, airport staff, water maintenance staff, architects, and others.

According to the union leaders, the city is facing a severe recruitment and retention crisis, resulting in deteriorating public service outcomes. Despite the city's growth, its services are struggling to keep up with the demands.

Up to 4,500 San Jose employes will go on 3-day strike

Up to 4,500 San Jose employees will be on strike for three days next week – the largest in city history.

"You cannot generate revenue without a functioning planning dept. You cannot keep libraries and parks open without employees," said Jean Cohen, South Bay Labor Council Exec. Dir. during a press conference on Monday. 

In response to the situation, Mayor Matt Mahan issued a statement last week expressing commitment to negotiate a fair deal for both workers and residents reliant on the essential services provided by the city. 

"I’m not going to sugar coat it for our residents. A strike would certainly have an impact on the availability of certain city services, but we’ll be able to manage essential services and continue delivering most of those to our residents," said San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, on Monday.  

The City says workers rejected a 5% raise for the first year and increased parental paid leave. Those supporting workers say city council should be able to find a way to offer a competitive wage. 

"There are a lot of other ways in a budget that’s multi-billions of dollars to find just enough resources so that our workers can try to just tread water, try to survive, in one of the most expensive places to live in the nation," said Ash Kalra, State Assembly member, Dist. 27.  

San Jose City workers are asking for a 7%, 6% and a 5% increase over the next three years, but Mayor Mahan says after recently balancing the budget, there’s not enough revenue to cover their demands. 

"To get to that 7% that these bargaining units are asking for, we would have to find $14.4 million worth of services to cut," Mahan said.  

The mayor also says the 12% job vacancy rate is comparable to other nearby cities. Union leaders say the vacancy issue still needs to be addressed and only adds to their work loads.