San Jose city workers on Tuesday were voting on whether or not to go on strike after their contract expired more than a month ago.
Unions representing more than 4,500 San Jose city employees began in-person voting at two locations that would authorize a three-day strike if a new deal with better pay is not reached. The city employees include city services from 911 dispatchers in the fire department to supervisors at the San Jose airport.
"It's basically like San Jose is kind of a training ground for people to come and get experience and get some knowledge about the job and then they just take jobs at other cities that pay more and have less work for them to do," said Scarlet Darmousseh, a 911 fire dispatcher.
In a campaign dubbed Staff Up San Jose, the bargaining teams of IFPTE Local 21 and MEF-AFSCME Local 101 have recommended members authorize the strike. They have been working without a contract since June 30, the union said.
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Ballots are being cast at a number of locations with varying schedules through Friday. Find a schedule on the strike vote web page.
The union is calling on city officials to address staffing shortages that are impacting existing employees and affecting "the delivery of high-quality public services to residents."
Other city employees represented by the union include librarians, arborists, vet technicians at Happy Hollow Zoo, and housing development officers, among others.
Mayor Matt Mahan released a statement Tuesday in response to the strike vote:
"We are committed to negotiating a deal that’s fair to everyone – our workers and our residents who rely on the essential services our city provides," Mahan said. "But the hard truth is, this money has to come from somewhere. If my council colleagues want to go beyond our last, best and final offer of a 5% raise plus increased paid parental leave next year, they will have to identify which core city services they are willing to cut."
The union said the current offer from the city is not enough, especially compared to similar jobs in other Bay Area cities.
The results of the strike vote will be known by Aug. 7, the union said, but there is no specific target date for the strike if it is authorized.
