"Engineers of the City of Santa Clara, which represents dozens of engineers, recently sent a letter to the City Council demanding fair treatment for all employees amid growing concerns over retaliation, retention and wages. The letter, signed by seven of the city's 10 classified employee unions, cites Santa Clara's proposed dismissal of longtime electrical engineer Julia Black, who was placed on paid administrative leave in September."
"The letter said Black's dismissal "raises serious questions" about whether the city's disciplinary and investigatory processes "are being used impartially or as tools of retaliation." Black could not be reached for comment. Her leave prompted the union to file a legal unfair practice charge against Santa Clara with the California Public Employment Relations Board in September, claiming the city is violating labor laws."
"Union workers, who have been working under an expired contract since July, want a 12% raise in the first year of the three-year contract, followed by 3% each consecutive year. The city's best offer is 3.5% for the first year, followed by 3% each year after, according to union officials. A union spokesperson, who asked for anonymity out of fear of retaliation, said existing wages are below average after many employees went without pay increases during the pandemic."
Engineers and seven of the city's classified employee unions demanded fair treatment amid concerns over retaliation, retention, and wages. The unions cited the proposed dismissal of longtime electrical engineer Julia Black, who was placed on paid administrative leave in September. The unions filed an unfair practice charge with the California Public Employment Relations Board alleging retaliation tied to labor negotiations and a hostile-work-environment report against a manager. Contract negotiations remain ongoing with unions seeking larger wage increases than the city's offer. Wages are described as below average after pandemic-era pay freezes, and morale across unions is very low.
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