Joining the Stationary Engineers on the picket line from IBEW 1245 (from left) AC Transit Shop Steward John Seeto, Business Rep Al Fortier, City of Roseville Shop Steward Bryan Boyd and City of Oakland Shop Steward/Advisory Council member Michael Patterson
Members of Stationary Engineers Local 39 who work for the City of Vacaville have been in contract negotiations for over a year, and the City had recently implemented a contract which represented an overall 21% reduction in compensation. Based on an unfair practice charge filed by Local 39, relative to the City’s bad faith negotiating tactics, Local 39 members voted to strike. To show solidarity and support for the Local 39 members, a group of IBEW 1245 members and staff took the union’s van down to Vacaville City Hall to join the striking workers on the picket line.
Unlike Vacaville police and fire, who have accepted similar concessions in past negotiations, Local 39 members do not rely 100% on the City’s general fund for the funding of their respective departments. Only 16% of the Local 39’s members rely on the general fund for departmental funding, while 84% receive funding from Enterprise fund departments.
While it might be understandable that Vacaville police and fire agreed to these concessions as they are paid 100% out of the City’s general fund, it is not reasonable that the City implement similar concessions upon Local 39 when their Enterprise Departmental funds are in stronger condition than the City’s general fund.
Yesterday, the City of Vacaville had invited Local 39’s bargaining committee backed to the table, so let’s hope the City begins to negotiate in good faith with this union. However until they do, drive by City Hall at 650 Merchant St. in Vacaville, 7am to 5pm, M-F, and honk your horn or join the strike line and show your support for Local 39 members.
–Ray Thomas, IBEW 1245 Assistant Business Manager