The city of Berkeley reached a tentative contract agreement with one of its largest unions, preventing a two-day strike that was scheduled to start Wednesday.
Late Monday, negotiators with the Community Services and Part-Time Recreation Leader Association of Service Employees International Union Local 1021 came to an agreement with the city.
Next week, the approximately 550 members of the negotiating unit will cast their votes on the agreement.
In a statement published on the union’s website, librarian Nico Ledwith said, “A lot of progress was made at the bargaining table because our membership was able to organize and exercise its collective power.” “There is always more to fight for however, and that’s why we’ll continue to organize.”
Requests for response were not answered by city spokesperson Matthai Chakko or Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arregu n.
A 14.5 percent salary increase over three years, vision benefits, better dental benefits for part-time employees, and the inclusion of two new holidays—Juneteenth and Cesar Chavez Day—are just a few of the provisions included in the initial deal.
Since February, the union has been negotiating with the city, and since late June, it has been operating under a contract that has expired.
Additionally, it complained to the state’s Public Employee Relations Board about unfair labor practices, claiming that the city had engaged in union-busting, denied union representation, and refused to engage in good faith negotiations.
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