Cruz

[Drunk Monk]

Hold the phone… no parking tickets?

BUSINESS
Day 3: Santa Cruz strike heats up with arrest of union worker
Negotiators continue work toward agreement between the city and labor union

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Trash and recycling overflow as the city service workers strike continues for a third day.  Credit: SEIU Local 521 organizers
By [color=var(--primary)]ARIC SLEEPER | asleeper@santacruzsentinel.com | 
PUBLISHED: October 19, 2022 at 4:53 p.m. | UPDATED: October 19, 2022 at 5:32 p.m.
SANTA CRUZ — Union member and wastewater treatment worker Peter Borba, 39, was arrested at the Wastewater Treatment Facility’s picket line around 8 a.m Wednesday as service workers with SEIU Local 521 continued their unfair labor practice strike for a third day.
Santa Cruz police responded to a call that strikers were blocking the entrance to the Wastewater Treatment Facility, preventing a truck from entering the facility, according to Santa Cruz Police Chief Bernie Escalante.
“Everyone moved to the side except Mr. Borba,” said Escalante. “Mr. Borba walked away from the officer, still impeding the flow of traffic into the facility. Mr. Borba was asked again and he verbally and physically refused by pushing past the officer’s arm trying to guide him to the side. Mr. Borba was taken into custody without further incident and booked into the county jail.”

The call resulted in the arrest of Borba for two charges: refusing to leave property or prevent someone from entering or exiting property; and obstructing, resisting or delaying of a peace officer. Both are misdemeanors.


Meanwhile, trash and recycling are piling up in dumpsters, bins and on the streets, to the frustration of residents, one of which, who remained unnamed, brought his large bag of trash to City Hall where he placed it in front of the City Council chamber. Libraries, parks and community centers remain closed, and no parking tickets will be issued until the union and city can reach an agreement.
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City workers picket outside of the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium Wednesday Credit: Aric Sleeper / Santa Cruz Sentinel

“Mediation between the city and SEIU Local 521 is ongoing,” said Santa Cruz City Manager Matt Huffaker. “City and SEIU Local 521 negotiators continue to work with a state mediator. An agreement has not been reached.”
Around 200 workers were gathered in front of the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium picketing and soliciting honks from supportive drivers. Among the chants, beeps and air horn honks, and even with temperatures around 85 degrees, union members said they aren’t going anywhere until an agreement is reached.
“I trust the bargaining team to come through with a fair contract for us,” said Jason Reiter, facility attendant at the London Nelson Community Center. “We’re not going anywhere until we get that contract, but it is our job and passion to serve the public, so we hope that it’s over soon.”
“We remain energized, and whether our energy goes up and down throughout the day isn’t going to change anything. We’re not going anywhere, said Shannon Toomes, recreation coordinator at the Civic Auditorium. “I know this strike, and what we are asking for is just and I know we are not asking for something that is unjust.”

No parking tickets will be issued until the strike is over. Credit: Aric Sleeper / Santa Cruz Sentinel

SEIU 521 Local filed unfair labor practice charges against the city of Santa Cruz in July for worker intimidation, unilateral changes to working conditions, exposure to hazardous working conditions and union busting.
According to city officials, fire and police, and water treatment and sewage services will not be affected by the strike.