Unity Puts Santa Clara Workers Closer to a Contract

by Karina Hernandez  |  March 22, 2013

Members of United EMS Workers-AFSCME Local 4911 show unity with Local 101 members at a meeting of the Santa Clara City Council. (Photo by Karina Hernandez)

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Members of AFSCME Local 101 last week won significant contract gains after rallying before the City Council and reminding them that they are the workers who keep the city running.

They pushed back loudly against the council’s previous approach of balancing the city’s budget at the expense of working men and women, and in response the city came back to the table with a new proposal removing furloughs for the second year.

Although not originally on the council’s agenda, the workers – a sea of AFSCME green T-shirts – made themselves heard and became part of the agenda. In the last four years, when the city faced hard economic times, the workers understood and made tough sacrifices to help the city. Now, when the city is on firmer financial footing, officials have been unwilling to negotiate fair contracts with the workers that are more reflective of the economic health of the city.

“Do you enjoy your warm offices in the winter and your air-conditioned offices in the summer?” member Garrett Brown asked the council, pointing out that his unit kept them running, along with keeping the lights on and the trucks running for the city. “We produce 11 percent of the revenue for the city and that is something you all need to remember at the table.”

Joining with their Local 101 brothers and sisters in solidarity were United EMS Workers-AFSCME Local 4911.

“I’m here to stand in unity with my union brothers and sisters of AFSCME,” said Jason Brollini, a paramedic at Rural/Metro 911.  “I’m also here because I take great pride in how beautiful our city looks, and that’s all thanks to these folks.”

Next Wednesday, city workers will head back to the table to continue negotiations for a fair contract.