By Khalida Sarwari
Hundreds of Santa Cruz city workers are planning a demonstration Tuesday to draw attention to contract negotiations with the city.
The workers are members of Service Employees International Union Local 521, a combination of white- and blue-collar workers including public works, sanitation, landfill, clerical and library employees as well as park rangers, custodians and parking attendants.
The union has been negotiating with the city since the end of April and must reach an agreement by July 1, said Sonia Laracuente, an internal organizer for SEIU.
The city has asked the workers to accept a 10 percent furlough, which would reduce their hours from 40 to 36, along with other concessions that would save the city $1.38 million, Laracuente said.
“Last week we had an action where some of the workers spoke about the hardships this had on their families on paying bills and buying essential things,” Laracuente said. “More cuts is just going to take them over the edge.”
Laracuente said workers have agreed to the furlough but want to work out other issues, including a cost-of-living wage increase that was deferred for one year last October.
“Our folks don’t want layoffs but at the same time they want the city to work with them and understand their economic situation and come up with a fair agreement,” Laracuente said.
The march and rally will be held outside council chambers at 809 Center St. during Tuesday’s 3 p.m. City Council meeting.