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Public works employees, Teamsters ask council to prioritize stalled contract talks
Summary
Public works staff told the council they have been without a contract for more than a year and asked the council to help prioritize negotiation and resolution; Teamsters Local 760 represented the workforce at the podium.
Two public commenters addressed the Sunnyside City Council on Jan. 27, 2025, asking the city to prioritize contract talks with the public works department.
Jason Moore identified himself as representing Sunnyside Public Works and told councilors the department has been without a contract for over a year. Moore said the lack of a current contract has left public-works employees without cost-of-living increases or insurance adjustments and that many employees hold second jobs to make ends meet. He asked the council to “put some priority into our public works team” and work with city staff and union representatives to find a solution.
Richard Salinas, principal officer of Teamsters Local 760, spoke after Moore and said he represented the Local and stood in solidarity with the public-works employees. Salinas urged council to “recognize the importance of investing in these essential employees” and asked the city to work collaboratively to reach a fair and equitable contract that would provide stability and improved morale.
In response the mayor noted council’s limited legal involvement in negotiations: council can approve contracts but “we don't get to be the ones that enter into those negotiations,” and said he expected to encourage the city manager to continue the process. No formal action or motion on the agenda addressed the contract at the Jan. 27 meeting; the matter was raised during public comment to request prioritization and follow-up by staff.
