South Bay

Local 21's two management units in the City of San Jose took a huge step in furthering the protections and procedures for their membership by overwhelmingly ratifying their first full contracts. Voting was held at three different locations over a four-day period.  The City Council approved the MOUs this week.

Residents overwhelmingly voted to elect Local 21's endorsed candidate Cindy Chavez to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors.  Chavez received 55.55% of the vote with a 10 point lead over her opponent in the July 30 special election. 

This was a major defeat for San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and his compatriots in the Chamber of Commerce and Republican party, who endorsed Chavez's opponent.  Chavez brings a strong mix of experience and community involvement to the Board, which is imperative to tackle the financial challenges the County faces.

Nearly 200 Members from Local 21's seven South Bay Chapters rang in the summer at the 6th Annual South Bay BBQ.  Members were treated to tri-tip, chicken sausages, portabella mushrooms, raffle prizes and other picnic goodies.  For the first time in several years, members could celebrate the successful negotiation of contracts, including small pay raises in the City of San Jose.

Our three San Jose bargaining units voted overwhelmingly to accept the recently negotiated agreement over retiree healthcare.

The agreement was a compromise on both sides and creates an opportunity to work together moving forward on solving a major issue for our members, as well as the City.

Components of the agreement include:

In an important and far-reaching decision, a Superior Court judge ruled in favor of Labor and found that the City of San Jose cannot unilaterally, retroactively eliminate Sick Leave payouts for employees who have a vested right to such deferred compensation.