Union members press Richmond council for contract talks and hazard pay; residents object to seizure of Riggers Loft venue

Multiple public speakers at the Oct. 21 meeting pressed the Richmond City Council on labor contract negotiations and related local business disputes.

Kevin Tisdale, chapter president of SEIU Richmond, said bargaining unit members have been without a contract “112, 13 days” and urged the council to close negotiations, seek hazard pay, longevity pay and mergers of bargaining units to improve morale and conditions. Jose Abastida of SEIU repeated that public‑sector workers have the right to communicate their contract priorities and urged the city to finish negotiations “within the next week or two.”

Cordell Hindler and other residents raised a separate but related concern about the city’s action against Riggers Loft Wine Company, which speakers said was being evicted or otherwise removed after disputes over unpaid rent. Hindler and other commenters characterized Riggers as a valued community business and said a repayment plan had been offered earlier in the year and rejected; they urged the city to reconsider and explore alternatives to closure.

Council did not take formal action on the contract demands or on Riggers during the Oct. 21 meeting; comments were part of the public‑comment period. Several speakers emphasized the role of public employees and the importance of fair wages, while others stressed small‑business community impacts from enforcement decisions.