This was the first strike from Santa Clara County officials in 40 years. Janet Diaz, the chapter president for SEIU Local 521, said that the union made the decision to temporarily halt the strike because of safety concerns caused by the blackout. She went on to say:
“Our decision to postpone all strike activities was taken out of our concern for public safety and our desire to fully support the needs of our residents who our members serve every single day.
“Our decision does not cancel our unfair labor practices strike.”
The strikers remain open to negations even though the strike was postponed, but felt that showing solidarity during the emergency was important for the community.
Santa Clara County Executive Jeffery Smith said that they are still hoping to find a resolution to the contractual dispute. The strike started because county workers felt that certain changes made by the Department of Family and Children’s Services promoted unfair labor practices. The union believes that the restructures should not have been carried out without discussing it with employees first.
The strike started on October 2, but they went in to work a day after the PSPS started. Often, newsletter and flyer printing can support campaigns like this.
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