San Jose City Council Imposes Contract On 4 Unions
SAN JOSE (KCBS) – With no progress in ongoing negotiations, the San Jose City Council has voted to impose 10 percent wage and benefit cuts on four unions.
Contracts were imposed on about half of the city's 5,900 workers, including librarians, operating engineers, clerical and electrical workers.
"Contract imposition was a litmus test for the San Jose City Council," said union leader LaVerne Washington. "A vote to impose terms and conditions on rank-and-file employees is a clear indication that the city council is not committed to working cooperatively and in good faith with its employees to settle issues that are in the best interest of this city."
KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:
San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, who supported the vote, said the goal is to try to avoid a second round of layoffs.
"We're talking about another 200-300 people that will get laid off," Reed said. "My message to the council and the public is that a June budget message is due out on Friday. I do no want to have to put in that message another 200-300 layoffs."
So far, six unions have agreed to the city's demand to take an ongoing 10 percent cut in wage and benefits.
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