Negotiations between Oakland and unions for 3,000 city workers hit impasse
Negotiations between the city of Oakland and unions representing 3,000 city workers have stalled, as city officials said Monday that the sides remain far apart and workers made new claims of unfair labor practices.
City workers filed new unfair labor practice claims against Oakland, alleging that the city unlawfully declared that the two sides were at an impasse, union officials said Monday. The complaints with the Public Employment Relations Board from IFPTE Local 21 and SEIU 1021 claim the city did not give the unions appropriate time to respond to contract proposals before breaking off talks.
“On June 11, before the city prematurely declared impasse, we had exchanged two counteroffers and a possible tentative agreement to review,” said Felipe Cuevas, the SEIU 1021 Oakland chapter president. “Earlier in the week, the city had given us proposals that we were still considering and had not yet responded to. These were active, engaged and productive bargaining sessions, and it’s clear that the city is just trying to step away from the bargaining table because the contract expires on the 30th.”
“We reached an impasse last week because the parties are substantially far apart on city and union priorities, including wages and recruitment relief to fill vacancies,” Boyd said. “We have not refused to bargain.”
Read more: https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Negotiations-between-Oakland-and-unions-for-3-000-14009012.php
