Oakland unions on budget proposal: Teamwork makes the dream work

Oakland teachers near strike date; Supervisor Miley gets a second challenger in District 4; ALCO prosecutor resigns, citing DA's treatment of Asians

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, left, is being praised by unions for a proposed budget that avoids layoffs.

CITY NEWS

OAKLAND

—HAPPY UNION—City employee unions are overjoyed by Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s budget proposal. SEIU Local 1021, IFPTE Local 21, IAFF Local 55, and IBEW Local 1245, each major supporters of Thao’s mayoral campaign last year, said they are united in support of the budget, which seeks to avoid layoffs and foster ways to fill a large number vacant positions.

—“We applaud the Mayor for balancing a historic deficit while protecting essential city services, preventing layoffs, and making the largest investment in affordable housing in Oakland’s history,” said IAFF Local 55 President Zac Unger.

—This comes as the proposed budget, which includes a $175 million shortfall next year, seeks to cut two fire trucks from Oakland Fire. “While we understand brownouts in Fire services are a reality, we hope that as the budget improves we focus on restoring services for residents,” Unger added.

—The proposed budget hope to alleviate around 950 unfilled full-time positions in Oakland city government. A large number of previously budgeted, but vacant positions, will face a hiring freeze under the mayor’s proposed budget, including 93 at OPD.

—UNHAPPY UNION—The Oakland teachers union and school district negotiators met again on Tuesday, but without any deal in sight. Oakland Education Association officials have set a strike date for Thursday.

—On Twitter, the union said preparations for a strike are underway. Picket captains met Tuesday evening for training.

—On Monday, state Superintendent Tony Thurmond; his deputy Malia Vella, also an Alameda councilmember; and Alameda County Superintendent Alysse Castro sat in on negotiations.

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