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City employees and SEIU representatives urge Emeryville Council to provide COLA that tracks CPI
Summary
Multiple city employees, including SEIU representatives, urged the council to offer a cost‑of‑living adjustment at least equal to CPI so employees do not lose purchasing power; speakers contrasted lower proposed COLAs for staff with increases given to top leadership.
At the opening of the meeting several city employees and SEIU members addressed the council during public comment, urging a larger cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA). "By offering less than the CPI, the city is taking money from our pockets," said Alyssa Chung, identifying herself as the city’s associate planner and SEIU chapter president. She argued the proposed offer would undermine staff retention and financial stability.
Several other employees made similar appeals. Amber Evans, a community development specialist, referenced previous council decisions and said the city has given higher percentage increases to higher‑paid executives. "We enriched the most powerful people that work here, and now we're stepping on the people who do the work," she said. Monica Centeno, a finance employee of seven years, asked the council to "reconsider the COLA adjustment being offered to city employees" so workers do not fall further behind. The council heard the comments during closed session public comment and acknowledged they will be part of broader labor negotiations.
