Summer camp ended early in Novato this week, as city recreation staff, maintenance workers and other general employees went on strike for higher wages.
The decision for members of SEIU Local 1021 to strike was announced Monday evening, leading many families to arrive at various recreational summer camps Tuesday morning only to find locked doors and signs informing them their kids’ camp was canceled.
City officials sent an email to families Tuesday apologizing for any “confusion” during camp drop-offs. “Unfortunately, we were not made aware in advance that many of our part-time seasonal employees—who are not members of the union and are not represented—would also choose to participate in the strike activities today,” the email said. “This has significantly impacted our ability to adequately staff several of our programs and facilities.”
Due to the strike, the city canceled its kids summer camps, Counselor In Training program, gymnastics classes, cornhole league and other athletic programs.
“This decision was not made lightly, and we deeply regret the inconvenience this may cause to your family and others in our community who rely on these services,” wrote City Manager Amy Cunningham in the announcement.
Negotiations between the city and the union have been ongoing since February. The City of Novato’s contract with the union expired June 30 and both sides are still at an impasse. Employees are demanding wage increases they say will bring their pay in line with median compensation for similar positions in other regional jurisdictions. City officials, meanwhile, issued a statement saying that with revenues from the recently passed Measure M sales tax increase, they’ve offered an 11% raise over three years for all SEIU employees, “with some receiving up to 24% through equity adjustments.”
Novato’s Measure M, passed last year with a 57.9% majority, brought the local sales tax up from 8.5% to 9.25%. The measure is expected to bring in about $10 million in revenue annually.
