CITY SERVICES INFORMATION FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 17 - 21

SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION (SEIU) LOCAL 521 STRIKE

October 20 update: Yesterday, the City and SEIU Local 521 bargaining teams reached a tentative agreement, ending the three-day strike. The agreement is dependent upon a vote by the SEIU membership this Friday. Today, residents can expect the following services to be operational again:

  • Libraries have reopened under regular hours. (Please note that the downtown branch may open late Friday, 10/21 so that SEIU Local 521 staff may meet and vote.)
  • Residential and commercial trash pick-up will resume on the next regularly scheduled pick-up day.
  • The City landfill is currently open to the public.
  • Parks and Recreation have updated their website with information on available parks and programs.

Please check back as this page will continue to be updated as information becomes available. 

October 18 update: mediated negotiations continue.

October 17 update: the negotiations team is meeting with a state-approved mediator today. 

The City of Santa Cruz has been in negotiations for a new labor contract with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 521 since early this year. The City reached a tentative agreement with SEIU negotiators on October 2. However, union membership voted last week to reject the tentative agreement. The City received word October 10 that employees in the SEIU Local 521-represented bargaining unit will participate in a 5-day unfair practice strike at all City locations Monday, Oct 17 - Friday, Oct 21. 

While essential services like police, fire, water, and sewer will remain unchanged, a strike will have significant impacts on other services the City provides. We encourage residents to look for opportunities to prepare in advance for limited services. Residents should consider:

  • There will be no residential or commercial refuse or food scrap pick-up, and both the landfill and recycling center will be closed.
  • All library facilities except the Capitola Branch Library and the Scotts Valley Branch library will be closed until Sat, Oct 22. Capitola and Scotts Valley libraries will have limited hours: Mon-Thurs 10:00am - 6:00pm, and Fri 10:00am - 5:00pm. All library programs are cancelled except storytimes at Scotts Valley and Capitola - call to confirm day and time. Library partner organizations may have programs that take place after-hours - please contact the specific organization to confirm.
  • Many City parks will be closed, and many recreation programs cancelled - please check the Parks and Recreation webpage.
  • Most City service counters will be closed and phone lines will go to automated messages, with the exception of Planning and Community Development - see their schedule for 10/17 - 10/21. 

The City recognizes that a strike will be hard on the community. The City has been negotiating in good faith and is disappointed at the outcome of last week's SEIU Local 521 membership vote. Labor Agreements have been reached with four other employee work groups including Fire Local, Fire Management, OES Middle Management, and Executive. 

This is a dynamic situation  - please check back for updates on service impacts. Thank you.