FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contacts: Luke Thibault, lthibault@ifpte21.org, 760-534-9958

Chris Flink, flink@seiu1021.org, 510-701-9637

(Oakland, CA) City employee unions are sounding the alarm over dangerous and irresponsible budget cuts proposed by the City of Oakland’s Administration, which threaten critical services to residents. A coalition of unions—including IAFF Local 55, IFPTE Local 21, SEIU Local 1021, and IBEW Local 1245—are demanding immediate action to protect essential city services.

According to the City Administration’s Q1 Revenue and Expenditures Report, Oakland faces a $93 million shortfall. This shortfall is due to a combination of removing Coliseum sale revenues and department overspending. 92% of the overspending is in public safety, with the majority—$52 million—from police alone. While most departments are close to or within budget, the report proposes deep cuts to vital services, including $34 million from fire services.

The City’s spending has attracted attention for a long time, with a longstanding pattern of cost inefficiencies in the police department. But observers also note significant issues with the City’s funding model, with multiple channels of revenue going uncollected or undercollected, leaving work undone for residents across the city. 

Seth Olyer, Vice President of Oakland Firefighters (IAFF Local 55), condemned the proposed cuts: “Oakland residents should not have to pay the price for the city’s budget mistakes. It’s dangerous and irresponsible to make cuts to your fire department, especially after voters just overwhelmingly passed measures to invest in public safety. Closing your neighborhood fire engine can mean the difference between life and death.”

Antoinette Blue, a 911 dispatcher who serves as the president of SEIU 1021’s City of Oakland chapter, said: “Year after year, we hear Oaklanders being told that they don’t deserve recreation centers, senior centers, or animal control, that homelessness isn’t an issue that needs funding to be addressed, that illegal dumping is so under control that we can reduce the number of people doing the work. It’s madness, and it has to stop. We have to fix the way our city collects and distributes money.”

Michael Patterson, Chief Steward for IBEW Local 1245, said: “This is a failure of leadership. It’s time for the city administration to be held accountable for its actions.”

Julian Ware, Vice President of IFPTE Local 21 Oakland, emphasized the need for smarter budgeting: “This report shows that the City Administration can’t be trusted to manage the budget. We need to find smarter ways to save, not slash services that our communities depend on.”

MEDIA ADVISORY: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18 AT 10:00 AM

City workers will gather in front of Oakland City Hall to rally against the proposed budget cuts and unveil an alternative vision for Oakland’s financial sustainability.

Who: SEIU 1021, IAFF Local 55, IFPTE Local 21, IBEW Local 1245
What: Press conference and launch of the union coalition’s plan for Oakland’s budget

When: Monday, November 18, 10:00 AM
Where: Oakland City Hall front steps, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza