Contact: Chris Flink, flink@seiu1021.org, 510.701.9637

Berkeley, California—City of Berkeley workers in SEIU Local 1021 have given the City of Berkeley official notice that they intend to strike on Wednesday, November 20 and Thursday, November 21, to protest the City’s unfair labor practices. The Community Services and Part-Time Recreation Leader Association workers have been negotiating over their contract with City of Berkeley leaders since February, and their contract expired on June 26.

In early August, City of Berkeley workers went on a two-day strike at Berkeley Day Camp. On Monday, October 14, the workers picketed outside City Hall to call for a fair contract. In late October, they voted by 93% to authorize a strike.

Falling behind economically, coping with chronic understaffing, and enduring consistent unfair labor practices from the City of Berkeley has forced these workers to strike. “The problems facing Berkeley residents and Berkeley workers alike are urgent, but for months, the City has been refusing to bargain in good faith to address our issues. Now, for a better future and an end to the City’s unfair labor practices, we have no choice but to go on strike,” said Julia Wiswell, a librarian at Berkeley Public Library. 

The unfair labor practice charges SEIU 1021 has filed with the Public Employee Relations Board (PERB) include charges for union-busting, unfairly denying union representation, and multiple instances of surface bargaining and refusal to bargain in good faith.

Background: 

• Early August Berkeley Day Camp Strike
  • https://www.berkeleyside.org/2024/08/08/berkeley-day-camp-counselors-strike-as-negotiations-with-citys-largest-employee-union-heat-up
  • https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/berkeley-day-camp-workers-strike-as-larger-action-looms/
  • https://www.dailycal.org/news/city/communities/berkeley-day-camp-workers-strike-for-raised-wages-new-staff-recruitment-practices/article_a305643e-561d-11ef-8054-97238f12192a.html
• Practice Picket at City Hall
  • https://kpfa.org/episode/the-pacifica-evening-news-weekdays-october-15-2024/
• Strike Vote
  • https://localnewsmatters.org/2024/10/27/berkeley-city-workers-authorize-strike-amid-floundering-quest-for-cost-of-living-increase/
• Strike Announcement
  • https://www.berkeleyside.org/2024/11/14/berkeley-librarians-senior-center-staff-and-more-could-strike-next-week

SEIU 1021’s City of Berkeley Community Services and Part-Time Recreation Leaders Chapter has more than 550 dedicated public servants who work across the city in departments like transportation planning, libraries, housing inspection, health, welfare and social services, and more.