After long months of bargaining and a planned unfair labor practice strike for November 20 and 21, City of Berkeley members in the CSU / PTRLA chapter have won a strong contract. They voted by 93% to ratify it. They will now enjoy more than two dozen improvements to their contract.

The three-year contract includes 14.5% raises, lump-sum payments for full-time and part-time workers alike, two new paid holiday days (for César Chávez Day and Juneteenth), equity adjustments for public health positions, and many other wins.

The fight was no easy one, though. Members had to take multiple major actions, including a two-day strike at Berkeley Day Camp. The City’s representatives only averted a strike with an acceptable offer late at night two days before a two-day, citywide strike was scheduled to begin.

“We came into this contract campaign knowing we would have to organize hard to get a contract that we would be proud to present to our members,” said Christina Rea, library specialist and bargaining team member. 

“We ended up with several additions that will make a world of difference to workers. And it was the workers themselves that made that happen— our collective power enabled us to insist on more than what was being offered to us.”

The chapter is more than 500 members strong, representing workers across Berkeley, from libraries to senior centers to City Hall workers, planning department workers, and many more.