Menlo Park workers press council ahead of SEIU, AFSCME negotiations; city to begin talks aiming for June agreement

Public employees and after‑school staff urged the Menlo Park City Council on April 14 to press for higher pay and clearer pathways to permanent hours as the city prepares successor labor agreements with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 521 and AFSCME Local 829.

Brandon Rafael Palominos‑Mancia, a water system operator with the city, said many frontline employees feel underpaid compared with neighboring jurisdictions and that “we can't even afford to live in the city that we help maintain and protect.” Library employee Juan Quinones and Menlo Children's Center after‑school worker Alyssa Allen echoed concerns about retention, part‑time schedules and pay parity with nearby Bay Area cities, with Allen saying her current $19.70 hourly starting wage compares unfavorably to $30 per hour in some neighboring cities.

Administrative Services Director Brittany Miller told the council that staff will coordinate negotiations over the next months and are seeking Council direction in closed session; she said negotiations cover three bargaining units (SEIU, SEIU Temporary Employees Unit, and AFSCME), noting the current SEIU and AFSCME contracts expire June 30. Miller said SEIU indicated it may seek to combine the temporary employee unit into the negotiated agreement for benefited staff. The staff report also said SEIU represents about 156.25 full‑time equivalent positions and about 100 temporary employees across city departments.

Councilmembers did not set specific contract terms in open session. Councilmember Jeff Schmidt moved — and Mayor Betsy Nash seconded — a motion to receive and file the labor relations report and solicit public input; the motion passed by unanimous roll‑call vote (Combs, Taylor, Schmidt, Wise, Nash). Miller said tentative agreements will be returned to Council in open session for approval, with staff targeting the June 23 meeting or earlier so agreements could be in place before terms expire on June 30.

Why it matters: SEIU and AFSCME represent the city’s non‑sworn frontline employees and supervisors who deliver daily services; wages and staffing levels affect retention and service continuity. The public remarks put pressure on negotiators to consider market comparability and pathways to more stable hours for part‑time staff.

What’s next: Staff will continue negotiations and bring any tentative agreements back to Council for public consideration and vote. The council’s receipt of the report formally records the timeline and public input ahead of bargaining.