Jana Blunt, field rep for SEIU Local 1021, along with bargaining team members Perry Siu and Paul Perryman, discussed their ongoing struggle for fair compensation in Novato, Calif., on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast. The conversation centered on the city's broken promises following a sales tax increase, the impact of underpayment on workers and services and the community's strong support for city employees during recent labor actions.
Despite a voter-approved sales tax measure generating $10 million in annual revenue, Novato city officials have failed to address longstanding wage inequities for municipal workers. SEIU Local 1021 members, some earning up to 25 percent less than peers in surrounding agencies, face a revolving door of staff turnover due to low pay. The city's refusal to allocate funds for fair wages, instead prioritizing pet projects, has led to understaffing and service disruptions. Perryman, an 18-year veteran of the city's maintenance department, highlighted how his team has shrunk from 14 to just seven employees, struggling to keep up with essential tasks like pothole repairs.
The union's recent three-day unfair labor practice strike successfully disrupted city services and garnered significant community support. Siu noted that parents arriving at summer camps were confronted with closures, prompting them to voice concerns to city officials. The strike's impact was amplified by the deep community ties of long-serving employees like Siu and Perryman, who have become familiar to residents over the years. This connection has resulted in an outpouring of public backing, with residents demanding fair treatment for city workers on social media and local businesses displaying supportive signage.
Blunt emphasized the city's bad-faith bargaining tactics, including showing up unprepared to meetings and claiming an impasse prematurely. She specifically called out Mayor Tim O'Connor as a staunch opponent to wage equity, prioritizing fiscal conservatism over fair compensation and adequate staffing. The union's efforts have finally compelled city officials to return to the bargaining table, though the outcome remains uncertain. Despite the challenges, SEIU Local 1021 members remain committed to fighting for fair wages that will allow them to continue serving their community effectively.
Listen to the full episode to hear more about SEIU Local 1021's fight for fair compensation in Novato, Calif.