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City employees press council to remove $215,000 labor‑negotiator contract from consent
Summary
Dozens of city employees and SEIU members urged the Berkeley City Council to remove item 25 — an additional $215,000 to outside negotiator Sloan Sakai LLP — from the consent calendar, saying bargaining could be done in house and funds should support cost‑of‑living and pension equity.
A large number of Berkeley city employees, many representing SEIU Local 1021 bargaining units, used the June 15 public comment period to oppose item 25, a staff amendment to add $215,000 to an existing contract with outside labor negotiator Sloan Sakai LLP. Speakers described the firm as ineffective in recent bargaining sessions, criticized delay tactics witnessed in open negotiations and urged council to "take the item off consent" so council could debate it publicly.
What callers said: Employees and union leaders told the council they have watched negotiation sessions and said the outside firm used delay tactics and lacked transparency. Multiple callers, including library workers, parks and recreation staff and bargaining team members, asked the city to instead invest the funds in cost‑of‑living adjustments (COLAs), pension equity for PEPRA employees and protections for part‑time recreation workers. One caller summarized the concern: "This $215,000 is on top of the $450,000 you've already allocated. Why are we outsourcing to a firm when HR can bargain in house?"
Council response and outcome: Council heard the comments but proceeded with consent procedure. Staff reminded the meeting that council holds ultimate economic authority and approves MOUs, and the mayor noted the council sets terms and can later revisit items. Several council members acknowledged the volume of employee testimony and committed to follow up during budget deliberations.
Why it matters: The item crystallized broader labor tensions in a high‑cost city where many municipal employees have said they have fallen well behind the consumer price index and face PEPRA pension inequities. Public testimony highlighted personnel morale, retention risk and the view that a budget is a statement of values.
Next steps: Employees urged removal from consent so the council could discuss the item in the open; the council kept the item on consent during this meeting but public pressure suggests leaders will revisit labor negotiation strategy and the use of one‑time contract dollars during budget follow up.
