We want to salute members of the Service Employees International
Union Local 817.
These city workers, by a four-vote margin, approved the city’s
so-called
”
best and final
”
offer Thursday, narrowly avoiding what could have been a
devastating strike.
We want to salute members of the Service Employees International Union Local 817.
These city workers, by a four-vote margin, approved the city’s so-called “best and final” offer Thursday, narrowly avoiding what could have been a devastating strike.
In approving the contract, these workers put the good of their neighbors and co-workers ahead of their own interest – and that’s something that deserves a commendation and is rare these days.
By avoiding a strike, other workers in the city and county won’t have to take up the slack – or make the agonizing decision about crossing the picket lines.
City residents and businesses won’t have to deal with the hassle of missing city services for which they pay hefty taxes.
And, by avoiding a strike, city leaders can temporarily scratch off a potentially difficult and all-consuming item off its already overcrowded to-do list.
We urge, however, city leaders to take careful note of the close margin, as John Vellardita, the union’s executive director, pointed out.
“We’re prepared to live with the agreement, but the city has to take note that a lot of folks are unhappy,” he said.
Five votes in a different direction, and the city would have a very serious problem on its hands. And the city certainly has enough serious situations to resolve.
Let’s make sure that both sides work in a fair and professional manner to not cut it so close next time.
