Oakland Strike To Continue Wednesday

OAKLAND, CA — About 3,000 Oakland city employees went on strike today to protest what they said are unfair labor practices.

Union leaders said the employees also are protesting the city's use of part-time workers, staffing levels, cost of living concerns and workplace conditions.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf alleged in a news release on Monday night that the strike is unlawful because the city and the employee unions with which it has been negotiating for seven months are not at impasse.
"We view this strike as unlawful and will file an unfair labor practice charge," Schaaf said.

However, spokespeople for Schaaf, the city and the City Attorney's Office haven't responded to inquiries about whether the city has filed a lawsuit and is seeking a court order to stop the strike.

The largest union on strike is Service Employees International Union Local 1021, which represents more than 2,000 public works employees, parking enforcement officers, Head Start instructors, and early education
teachers.

International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers Local 21, which represents about 1,000 professional and technical employees, including engineers, building inspectors and planners, is engaging in a
sympathy strike with SEIU Local 1021.

In addition, about 20 city employees who belong to Local 1245 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers are respecting Local 1021's picket lines.

SEIU Local 1021 spokesman Chris Flink said the union believes its strike is legal because it's an unfair labor practice strike, which he said it lawful and protected activity.

Flink said the strike will continue "until the city comes back to the bargaining table."

He said no further negotiations are scheduled as of this afternoon, so it appears likely that the strike will continue on Wednesday.

City officials said that due to significant staff shortages, the strike is forcing the closure of nearly every city facility and program.

However, sworn police and fire personnel won't participate in a strike since they are represented by other unions.

City officials said they're also prepared to address any public works emergencies if they arise.

Flink said city employees have been picketing at various city facilities today and held a large rally in front of City Hall at 1 p.m.

— Bay City News; Image via morguefile user xenia