Will continue to provide quality services
Palo Alto, CA - One day after the City of Palo Alto voted to unilaterally impose a contract on workers, 90% of members who voted Tuesday night rejected the city's last, best and final offer.

However, despite the city rejecting mediation and forcing a contract on workers, Palo Alto employees for now have decided to remain on the job and continue to provide quality services to the community.

"At this time we feel it's in the community's best interest that we continue to serve residents," said Brian Ward, a utilities account representative and member of the workers' bargaining team.. "We provide Palo Alto with top-quality services and we will continue to do so."

Tonight's vote comes after 5 months of ongoing negotiations which ended when city officials abruptly brought them to halt.

"We are planning strong actions in the coming weeks to demonstrate to the city council that their action against workers will have consequences," said Mike Keate, utility system operator. "This city council does not reflect the values of Palo Altans."

The city declared an impasse in negotiations on Oct. 20 and imposed a last, best and final offer on Monday, October 26.

"At this point our morale is low but we are thinking of the bigger picture," said Brian Ward.



For more information:

 Palo Alto Chapter Fact Sheet

PaloAltoIsFallingShort.com

Palo Alto Chapter on seiu521.org web site

Palo Alto Workers in the News

Palo Alto Negotiations Timeline 2009
May 4 – bargaining begins

Aug. 27 – Workers vote to authorize a strike

Sept. 24 – Workers hold a self-imposed furlough day to save the city money

Oct. 20 – City declares impasse in negotiations

Oct. 22 – City rejects workers' offer of mediation

Oct. 26 – City Council unilaterally imposes contract terms on workers

Oct. 27 - Workers reject imposed contract