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Public works employee and union leaders urge stronger contract; council holds closed session on labor talks
Summary
Public works staff and union representatives urged National City leaders to back a stronger, fair contract and relief on benefits; the council entered a closed session on labor negotiations and later reported it told negotiators to move forward.
Public works staff and union representatives asked the National City Council on Monday to back a stronger contract and ease benefit costs as labor negotiations continue.
A public works employee told the council the city’s pay lags prevailing rates and said benefits matter for retention. “I'm paying about 1000 dollars a month in medical insurance,” the employee said, urging that cutting those costs would help workers build up the city.
Carla Palategui, chapter president representing municipal employees for SEIU 221 and a city employee for 21 years, told the council the union submitted “21 proposals for you to review” and asked officials to support “a full, strong contract” to ensure fairness across departments.
“I'm here to ask you to please take into consideration the livelihood of all your dedicated and passionate boots on the ground team members,” said Iliana Delgado, a recreation supervisor in the Community Services Department. Juanita Castaneda, also with Community Services, said simply, “We need your support” for a fair contract.
After public comment, the mayor said the council would go into a closed session. The city attorney announced the closed session concerned “conference with labor negotiators” and listed the Municipal Employees Association, the National City Fire Fighters Association, the Police Officers Association and several unrepresented groups as the involved employee organizations. (The city attorney cited the relevant government code in opening remarks.)
A council member also reported constituents had called about an earlier water-related situation; according to that council member, the Sweetwater Authority's general manager provided a preliminary assessment and “all facilities appear to be fine.”
After returning to open session, the city attorney reported that the council had provided negotiators with instructions to move forward with negotiations. The meeting was then adjourned.
The council did not take a public vote on contract terms during the meeting; the closed session discussion was limited to labor negotiations and the council reported a direction for negotiators.
