#United States #Oakland #Oakland City #SEIU Local 1021 #IFPTE Local 21

Oakland City Workers Unite Against Layoffs

On January 30, 2025, the Oakland City Administration delivered unexpected layoff notices to a diverse group of city workers responsible for essential services. The notifications have raised significant concerns among labor unions representing these employees, including SEIU Local 1021 and IFPTE Local 21. The affected positions encompass various critical services such as police service technicians, environmental enforcement officers, and crime analysts, all of whom play vital roles in ensuring the safety and well-being of Oakland's residents.

The unions argue that the city workers are the backbone of the community, and layoffs will drastically impair the services residents rely on. With existing staff already stretched to their limits, further reductions could push services to the brink, potentially compromising community welfare. Unions have expressed their commitment to prevent these layoffs, viewing them as a last resort that should only be considered under dire circumstances.

Antoinette Blue, president of SEIU 1021's City of Oakland chapter, voiced her frustrations on the budget mismanagement that led to this situation. She emphasized that the hardships of layoffs should not fall onto the employees or residents.