Some 4,500 San Jose city workers are preparing to strike on Tuesday, Aug. 15 for a period of three days. The walkout will involve code enforcement inspectors, librarians, planners and crime analysts, who say they are being underpaid.
The strike was authorized by 99% of union members after months of failed negotiations between the city, IFPTE Local 21 and MEF-AFSCME Local 10. The city’s latest offer includes a 5% raise for the first year, with raises of 4% and 3% to follow.
The unions have asked for a 7% wage increase for the current fiscal year followed by raises of 6% and 5%. To get there, the mayor said the city would need to find additional revenue or make budget cuts.
Tuesday’s walkout is set to be the largest city worker strike in San Jose since 1981. It could disrupt flights, building permits, and summer camps offered through the city.
This week, California’s most populous city – Los Angeles – saw its own strike, involving over 11,000 city employees.
Read more at KQED.