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Schaaf Administration declares impasse on labor negotiations despite union objections

Published

5 years ago

June 21, 2019

The conflict between Mayor Libby Schaaf’s administration and city workers is intensifying after Oakland officials declared an impasse in negotiations with two major employee unions just before their labor contracts expire on June 30, the same day as the deadline for submitting the new city budget.

The city proclaimed the impasse on June 11 with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1021, which represents about 2,000 city employees; and the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) Local 21, representing about 1,000 workers. Both unions have been meeting with the city’s representatives for months, Local 1021 in about 20 negotiating sessions since the end of March and Local 21 in about 15 sessions since February.

Until the declaration of impasse, negotiations were continuing and had not stalled, according to the unions. Undiscussed issues were still on the table. The city is engaging in “bad faith bargaining,” said union leaders, who are filing a complaint against the city with the Public Employee Relations Board (PERB).

The city has proposed mediation, an action that the unions view as an attempt to put pressure on them. Though they argue that city’s declaration is premature, the unions say they are willing to participate in mediation.

In recent years, the city’s negotiating team consisted of City of Oakland staff. This year, the administration relied on an outside consultant, Sloan Sakai, which has a reputation among union members as a hostile or “union busting” law firm.

The city is offering a 2 percent raise per year, 4 percent for the next two years, as well as a number of takeaways, according to city workers, who say they need to keep up with the rate of inflation. The cost of living in the Bay Area increased almosst 4 percent in the past year, say the unions.

Workers’ wages fell far behind between 2008 and 2014, and many say they cannot afford to continue to live in Oakland, and some are straining to pay for long commutes from where they were forced to move.

Another major issue facing the city are large numbers of unfilled employee positions, which undermines the ability of workers to adequately perform their jobs and overwhelms them with excessive workloads, often having to scramble to do the duties of two, three or four employees, according to workers. There are currently over 600 vacant positions in the city, including public works, housing and transportation jobs.

During the City Council’s budget deliberations, the dispute between the unions and the administration has taken center stage. City workers filled Council Chambers both at last week’s and Tuesday evening’s council meetings.

Speaking at the meeting, Local 1021 member Jeff Robbins, talked about the shortages of employees in the department where he works as a licensed heavy equipment mechanic.

He said the department is short four mechanics and cannot hire anyone because “other municipalities pay $10 more per hour with less requirements.”

“All city heavy equipment passes through us, including fire equipment,” he said. “We never want a shortage of equipment when fires need to be put out (or) trees need to be trimmed.”

“We’re the hub of the wheel – don’t let the wheel fall off.”

Local 1021 bargaining team co-chair and Chapter President Felipe Cuevas, also a heavy equipment mechanic, talked about the many unfilled vacancies exist in many city departments.

“Local 1021 has more than 300 vacancies, an over 17 percent vacancy rate,” he said . “I’ve seen vehicles sometimes wait for months to be repaired. These vehicles are not available to provide services to the public: fire trucks are not on the road, potholes are not getting fixed, sewers are not being inspected and maintained.”

“In the past we had to close fire houses because the equipment hasn’t been available,” he said. “No one has heard about that.”

Cuevas said the behavior of the city’s negotiators, Sloan Sakai, has been “so disrespectful.”

“They’ve basically said we’re not even going to discuss some of (our) proposals. They’re simply union busters.”

Also criticizing the city’s negotiating consultants, Local 1021 chief steward Dwight McElroy said, “I’ve been bargaining in this city for 25 years, and I’ve never seen such disrespect as we have seen at this table.”

Look at Sloan Sakai’s website, he said. “It is braggadocious about union busting (and) braggadocious about” taking away local cities’ retiree benefits.

McElroy told the council, “We know you’ve been stonewalled. We know you haven’t been given documents that you requested, to make educated decisions.”

Nina Hernandez, a part-time library worker, said, “We went out (in the last strike) because 2 percent was never going to cut it for this staff. And it is never going to cut it, ever, because 2 percent makes us poorer at the end of the contract than we were at the beginning of the contract.”

Anthony Reese, chapter vice president of Local 21, said the city’s contract proposal contributes to gentrification by failing to keep up with the increased cost of living. “It’s clear that the mayor does not want us to live and work here,” he said.

Cheryl Dunaway, a 22-year city employee and a Local 21 member, said she became homeless and had to leave the city.

“I work in Oakland, but I can’t afford to live in Oakland,” she said. “I used to, but now I can’t. I commute around four hours a day.”

“Some of our employees are homeless but are too ashamed to admit it,” Dunaway continued. “I was one of them. I was blessed that I have family that loves me, that took me in. But a lot of us don’t have that. They’re sleeping in cars, bunking with family members, they are sleeping on garage floors.”

She said employees will not accept a 2 percent increase and takeaways.

“If you are not willing to work with us, all of us are going to walk out the door. And you’ll be left with yourselves,” she said.

Ken Epstein

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S.F. Black Leaders Rally to Protest, Discuss ‘Epidemic’ of Racial Slurs Against Black Students in SF Public School System

Parents at the meeting spoke of their children as no longer feeling safe in school because of bullying and discrimination. Parents also said that reported incidents such as racial slurs and intimidation are not dealt with to their satisfaction and feel ignored.

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church. Photo courtesy Third Baptist Church.

By Carla Thomas

San Francisco’s Third Baptist Church hosted a rally and meeting Sunday to discuss hatred toward African American students of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church, along with leadership from local civil rights groups, the city’s faith-based community and Black community leadership convened at the church.

“There has been an epidemic of racial slurs and mistreatment of Black children in our public schools in the city,” said Brown. “This will not be tolerated.”

According to civil rights advocate Mattie Scott, students from elementary to high school have reported an extraordinary amount of racial slurs directed at them.

“There is a surge of overt racism in the schools, and our children should not be subjected to this,” said Scott. “Students are in school to learn, develop, and grow, not be hated on,” said Scott. “The parents of the children feel they have not received the support necessary to protect their children.”

Attendees were briefed last Friday in a meeting with SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne.

SFUSD states that their policies protect children and they are not at liberty to publicly discuss the issues to protect the children’s privacy.

Some parents said they have removed their students from school while other parents and community leaders called on the removal of the SFUSD superintendent, the firing of certain school principals and the need for more supportive school board members.

Community advocates discussed boycotting the schools and creating Freedom Schools led by Black leaders and educators, reassuring parents that their child’s wellbeing and education are the highest priority and youth are not to be disrupted by racism or policies that don’t support them.

Virginia Marshall, chair of the San Francisco NAACP’s education committee, offered encouragement to the parents and students in attendance while also announcing an upcoming May 14 school board meeting to demand accountability over their mistreatment.

“I’m urging anyone that cares about our students to pack the May 14 school board meeting,” said Marshall.

This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.

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Oakland Ambassadors Strengthen Ties and Aid Efforts in Ghana

Oakland natives and esteemed members of the African American Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG), Jonathan P. Jones and Dr. Maritony Efua Jones, recently embarked on a significant journey to Ghana as guests of the World Martial Authority Ghana. This trip signifies a crucial opportunity to bolster partnerships, explore new avenues of collaboration, and contribute to impactful initiatives in Ghana.

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Elder Jorg Klebingat, Flint Mensah, Richard Burton, H.E. Dr. Maritony Jones, Amb. Jonathan Jones, Elder S. Gifford Nielsen, Elder Alfred Kyungu. Courtesy photo.

By Post Staff

This trip signifies a crucial opportunity to bolster partnerships, explore new avenues of collaboration, and contribute to impactful initiatives in Ghana.

Upon their arrival at Katota Airport in Accra, Ghana, the Joneses were warmly received by His Royal Majesty Okatakyie Asafo Boakye III, the distinguished king of Sanzule Kingdom in the Eastern Nzema, and Etse Nyamedi of World Martial Authority, Ghana.

Nyamedi accompanied the Joneses to the city of Mepe, which had recently experienced flooding, to assess damages and engage with local leaders, elders, and youth regarding the city’s urgent needs after major floods last fall.

Key concerns and priorities identified by the community include comprehensive flood mitigation measures, agricultural support, housing initiatives, educational enhancements, improved healthcare access, and the development of communal recreational spaces.

The Joneses were also graciously invited to meet with leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at their headquarters in Accra. This meeting provided insights into ongoing humanitarian efforts in Ghana and explored avenues for collaboration to further assist Ghanaian communities.

The LDS leaders shared their prompt response to the recent flood, demonstrating their commitment to humanitarian aid by dispatching substantial supplies including medical provisions, sanitation items, blankets, and food to assist flood victims just four days after the disaster.

Additionally, Boakye extended a special invitation to the Joneses to his palace, where they were pleasantly surprised with a heartfelt recognition ceremony. Maritony Jones was honored as the Queen Mother of the Sanzule Kingdom in acknowledgment of her dedicated work, while Jonathan Jones was lauded and welcomed as the ambassador of the Sanzule Kingdom, symbolizing a meaningful homecoming to their ancestral land.

The visit not only strengthens ties between Oakland and Ghana but also underscores the collaborative spirit and commitment to meaningful progress and humanitarian endeavors shared by all involved parties.

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Calif. Anti-Sex Trafficking Advocates Discuss Competing Bills, Strategies

Advocates from across California are challenging state officials and community leaders to support legislation that provides resources and services for survivors and victims of human trafficking, as well as assistance as they transition back into civil society.  Some of those advocates are also calling for more effective state policy to curtail trafficking, a crime that has an outsized impact on Black children, particularly girls.

Published

3 days ago

May 3, 2024

Oakland Post

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Some of those advocates are also calling for more effective state policy to curtail trafficking, a crime that has an outsized impact on Black children, particularly girls.

According to the FBI, a report covering a two-year period found Black children accounted for 57% of all juvenile arrests for prostitution. In addition, 40% of sex trafficking victims were Black and 60% of those victims had been enrolled in the foster care system.

“It is time to hold the perpetrators who take advantage of our children accountable,” said the Rev. Shane Harris, a San Diego-based activist, former foster youth and founder of the Peoples Association of Justice Advocates, (PAJA), a national civil rights organization and policy think tank.

“It is time to send a thorough message that if you seek to buy a child for sex, you will pay the highest criminal penalties in this state,” added Harris who was speaking at a rally at the State Capitol earlier this month. Harris was speaking in support of Senate Bill 1414, authored by Sen. Shannon Grove (D-Bakersfield), which calls for people who buy sex from minors to be punished with a felony. The punishment includes a two-year prison sentence and a $25,000 fine.

Harris said the PAJA is the only civil rights organization in the state that supports SB 1414.

Harris urged other Black-led groups who favor anti-trafficking legislation more focused on criminal justice reforms (as opposed to stiffer penalties), to “join the movement.”

Many of those civil rights groups fear that SB 1414 could lead to the incarceration of more Black youth.

Those sentiments were echoed in a panel discussion organized by Black women advocates on April 26 to examine the cause and effects of human trafficking in California’s Black communities. The virtual event was hosted by the Forgotten Children, Inc, a faith-based nonprofit that advocates for survivors and victims of human trafficking through anti-trafficking campaigns and initiatives.

Panelists shared the psychological impact of sexual exploitation on youth and children in the long term.

Author and educator Dr. Stephany Powell shared statistics and information revealing that African American women and girls are the most trafficked nationwide.

Powell, who serves as the senior advisor on law enforcement and policy at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation said that national data indicates that sex trade survivors are disproportionately women of color. She stated that male survivors often go unnoticed because boys rarely report trafficked crimes.

Powell said that decriminalizing prostitution in California could increase human trafficking. She argued that Senate Bill 357, authored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), which was signed into law in 2022 and legalized loitering for prostitution, caused a surge in street-level prostitution.

Panelist and psychologist Dr. Gloria Morrow shared opposing views on decriminalizing prostitution. She said that decriminalizing prostitution could help survivors gain access to state resources and support.

Despite opposing views, Powell and Morrow agree that the Black community needs resources and educational programs to address human trafficking.